Calgary wants to keep Games bid cash

Premier Rachel Notley threw back her head and laughed. She actually did that twice. It was an under-reaction. She was entitled to slap her knee and howl.

The premier was answering questions about Calgary council’s bizarre attempt to keep leftover Olympic money already paid by Ottawa and the province, and also get cash promised for the actual Games.

To add to the zaniness, there is background buzz about an Olympic rescue effort involving … Edmonton.

First up at Monday’s meeting, council voted to wind up BidCo.

Then Nenshi said Calgary should get to keep the $10.5 million from Ottawa and $10 million from the province.

That was nervy enough. But immediately after, council voted to approve Nenshi asking both governments for much of the $2.1 billion promised for the actual Games.

After Notley straightened out her face, she said: “We’re still looking into the state of play with the money that was initially put forward with respect to the bid and the plebiscite.”

Translation: Send back the money, or we’ll send bill collectors.

Regarding the attempt to get some of the $700-million provincial offer for Olympic facilities and upgrades, Notley added: “The city of Calgary is certainly always welcome to make representations for various and sundry infrastructure projects.”

Further translation: Get back in line with all the other municipalities.

There was no word on these council requests from Ottawa. A question brought only deep silence.

Coun. Diane Colley-Urquhart cast the only vote against Nenshi asking Ottawa for money the voters clearly rejected in last Tuesday’s plebiscite.

She called it “foolish … a feeble attempt, in my view, to save face.”

It was all that, with a touch of humiliation thrown in.

But council’s flailing did show how much regret is on the loose out there. Many people would still like to find a way to rescue the bid. To that end there is talk, so far unconfirmed and very much on background, about efforts that could lead to Edmonton stepping in.

It’s vague at this point, but there’s no doubt that influential people in both cities are thinking hard and making a lot of calls.

PRIVATE MONEY

Private money could be involved. You can bet that if something emerged, First Nations would be enthusiastic about participating.

Imagine that. Calgary fumbles and Edmonton picks up the ball as the main host city, with opening ceremonies and much of the hockey. Calgary could still host many events at its facilities. Nakiska keeps skiing, snowboarding etc. Canmore hosts Nordics.

Maybe something like that should have been the plan all along, with Calgary leading the way.

The province would have had far less trouble dealing with a two-city request for funding — which, by the way, would very likely have been lower.

There might never have been a plebiscite.

The bid could be surging ahead even now.

But city hall wanted the whole thing and now has nothing except an empty cap in hand.

My first reaction on hearing about efforts to exhume the bid was hopping annoyance.

What, Edmonton just grab the Games and the glory?

But on second thought, it would obviously be great for the province and both cities. Calgary would presumably be off the hook for civic funding, but would still get much of the action and funding.

Is it all just another doomed Olympic dream?

Very likely.

Calgary’s BidCo plan would have to be heavily revised or thrown out entirely. Most people don’t understand how much grinding, detailed work was done by those incredibly dedicated people.

The formal bid is due before the International Olympic Committee in January.

The province might say, wait a minute, we demanded a referendum in Calgary, so we have to do it in Edmonton, too.

There probably isn’t time. At this point, Olympic resurrection is as unlikely as Olympic funding for not holding the Olympics.

But this whole thing has been bat-crazy from Day One. The plebiscite aftermath remains emotional.

Anything could launch at any moment.