Calgary 2026 Olympic plans begin to take shape
Hosting plan rolls out ahead of upcoming plebiscite
By Nathan Woolridge, News Editor
Some of the facts and figures presented to the public by the Olympic BidCo in their “Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Hosting Plan and Concept.” Graphic by Amber McLinden
As Calgarians prepare to vote in an Olympic plebiscite on Nov. 13, the Calgary 2026 BidCo released a hosting plan concept on Sept. 11 to share more details with Calgary residents.
Olympic committee and BidCo
Calgary’s Olympic bid came about a couple of years ago and was one of many issues heavily discussed in the 2017 municipal election. The Calgary Bid Exploration Committee was formed with leader Rick Hanson, former police chief.
According to the Calgary Herald, in 2017 the committee had a budget of $5 million to help determine potential costs and infrastructure.
In June 2018, Calgary city council approved additional funding for further Olympic bid exploration. The Calgary 2026 BidCo was created to further the work of the previous committee.
According to the Calgary Herald, Mary Moran of Calgary Economic Development, began her new position as CEO of BidCo to help develop the olympic plans with $30 million; she began her position on Aug. 13. Moran is the first woman to head an Olympic bid in Canada.
In July 2018, city council announced a non-binding plebiscite to test the waters with the opinion of Calgarians. According to the City of Calgary social media, the plebiscite will be worded as follows: “I am for Calgary hosting” or “I am against Calgary hosting,” The plebiscite is scheduled to take place on Nov. 13. The plebiscite is non-binding so it will not be the final decision. City council can still approve or not approve of the Olympics after the vote outcome.
On Sept. 11, city council voted to move forward with its 2026 Olympics bid after 2026 Bidco released their “Draft Hosting Plan Concept.” The hosting plan was created to “present the community with Calgary’s proposed bid framework for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” according to BidCo’s press release.
The plan explores new ideas and provides more information than what Calgarians have previously had available. The plan includes building new facilities, rejuvenating current facilities and outlines some spending projections.
Upgrades to existing Calgary facilities
The hosting plan includes upgrades to current infrastructure and the building of new facilities. McMahon Stadium is on the list to receive upgrades. The 58-year-old stadium is championed to host the opening and closing ceremonies. Plans for its upgrades include: “New entry plaza, new ticketing and Fan Zone; new team zone and concourse patio; renovated washrooms, new permanent seats; and food prep kitchen and concessions.”
The Scotiabank Saddledome, according to the plan, will receive upgrades. “Enhanced accessibility of venue, extended life of ice plant, and mechanical [and] structural capital maintenance,” are all part of BidCo’s plans.
These plans are coming after controversy about the Saddledome being the NHL’s oldest arena. The city and the Calgary Flames Entertainment Group held multiple meetings which lead to the Flames walking away from the table. While a new NHL arena in Olympic plans would be likely to intrigue the Flames organization, it is not discussed in these early plans.
Upgrades are also proposed for the BMO Centre, The Olympic Oval, Winsport facilities and infrastructure projects in Canmore.
The plans also include the building of two new facilities: a mid-sized community arena and a multi-sport complex. There are current plans that the community arena will be used as a legacy project for the University of Calgary Hockey (Dinos). As well as giving Calgary the “ability to host regional, provincial and national competitions along with touring concerts,” as stated in the hosting plan.
Investing in housing
Calgary will require housing to host athletes, media, security and workforce during the course of the Olympics.
BidCo’s goal is to meet a need in Calgary for affordable housing.
The plan includes affordable housing for seniors, Indigenous people and students. The hosting plan highlights that 2,600 new housing units will be built with more than 2,000 being in Calgary. Less than 20 per cent are market housing. What other housing is being built?
BidCo did not clarify specifics about affordable housing for students, but representative for BidCo, Susan Veres, says they “have met with and received input from many post secondary institutions, including Mount Royal University.” Veres says other institutions include: “SAIT, Ambrose University, Bow Valley College and St. Mary’s University.”
The discussions have been based on “current inventory and future, planned housing projects …” says Veres.
Veres goes on to say, “We have allocated a significant capital fund that could potentially form a grant to catalyse student housing in multiple campuses, pending demonstration of need, accessibility and other factors that we are still considering.”
“We see Calgary as a future talent destination and having purpose built student accommodations is a big part of that,” says Veres.
BidCo has now laid out their first rounded plans for hosting a 2026 Olympics. Soon Calgarians will be voting and we will be able to see how this plan develops and unfolds in the coming months and possibly in the coming years.
