Calgarians have voted against bidding for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Besides the boosterism of the few, the bid never really resonated with the populace.
This bid also undeniably fell victim to the unpleasant baggage weighing down the Olympic movement. The cynical narrative is familiar by now. Cities spend billions more than initially proposed to host a two-week party that leaves little long-term positive economic impact. According to reporter Jamie Strashin of CBC news.
There would have meant billions spent for this event and yet the perception is that there would be negligible long term benefit.
Another question that was being asked, would the Olympics have delayed other much needed projects, more important to the residents of Calgary?
Would Red Deer residents, if having the opportunity, would they have followed Calgary in voting against the bidding for the 2019 Canada Games? Will the two-week party in February leave little long-term positive economic impact?
Has other projects, more important to Red Deerians been delayed or cancelled, until after the Canada Games? Will there be any quantifiable benefits to the average joe in Red Deer having these games?
I know that the Canada Games does not have the same baggage and is only in the tens of millions not like the billions, in total, by various governments, for the Olympic games, but Calgarians still did not believe they would see any long term economic benefit.
They can watch the ceremonies, races and events on television like almost everyone else no matter where it is located.
Will Red Deer be able to show that the Canada Games will give us long term economic benefits without delaying other projects nearer and dearer to our hearts? Will we be scrambling to catch up after it is over?
Perhaps we should start having plebiscites before we commit our tax dollars to these big events? Just saying.