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Calgary Olympics?
Nov. 12th, 2018 09:36 pmCalgary is pondering an Olympics bid for the 2026 Winter games. I've been waffling back and forth on it.
First, I think we would do an awesome job at it. I want to capture some of the lightning from the 88 Winter Games. And I simply like the idea of the Olympics - You know, all the countries of the world coming together in peace to celebrate amateur athletics. It's mythic. If I vote yes, it will be for all those reasons.
On the other hand, I think the International Olympic Committee is a bunch of corrupt oligarchs out to grift national governments. I think the Calgary Flames organization will use this as an excuse to blackmail the city into giving them a new hockey arena (my short view on that: If they want their own arena, they can build it themselves - they can easily afford it. If they want the city to do it, we'll be happy to rent it to them. We might even cut them a deal, but it shouldn't be for free). I'm still pissed off at them for trying to sneak some Conservative party drone into the mayor's office. If I vote no, it will likely be for one of those.
My desire to flip the bird to bullies means I'm leaning towards a no vote.
I'm not too worried about the money, though I do think we need to get some guarantees from the province and the federal government that they'll help out if we go over budget. And it will go over budget, mostly for security related things. 2026 won't be like 1988, and we have a much bigger problem with security now than we did then, and we'll need to take it seriously.
If we do say no, I hope we take the funds earmarked for the athlete's village that was going to be turned into affordable housing and just make some affordable housing. Hopefully the powers that be won't shit on the most vulnerable because they didn't get their way.
Not too much of an analysis here folks, just my raw thoughts on the matter without too much refinement or research. That's what happens when I procrastinate, and the vote is tomorrow. Do go out and vote - I'd like to see something approaching a mandate, and 20% turn out isn't going to cut it.
First, I think we would do an awesome job at it. I want to capture some of the lightning from the 88 Winter Games. And I simply like the idea of the Olympics - You know, all the countries of the world coming together in peace to celebrate amateur athletics. It's mythic. If I vote yes, it will be for all those reasons.
On the other hand, I think the International Olympic Committee is a bunch of corrupt oligarchs out to grift national governments. I think the Calgary Flames organization will use this as an excuse to blackmail the city into giving them a new hockey arena (my short view on that: If they want their own arena, they can build it themselves - they can easily afford it. If they want the city to do it, we'll be happy to rent it to them. We might even cut them a deal, but it shouldn't be for free). I'm still pissed off at them for trying to sneak some Conservative party drone into the mayor's office. If I vote no, it will likely be for one of those.
My desire to flip the bird to bullies means I'm leaning towards a no vote.
I'm not too worried about the money, though I do think we need to get some guarantees from the province and the federal government that they'll help out if we go over budget. And it will go over budget, mostly for security related things. 2026 won't be like 1988, and we have a much bigger problem with security now than we did then, and we'll need to take it seriously.
If we do say no, I hope we take the funds earmarked for the athlete's village that was going to be turned into affordable housing and just make some affordable housing. Hopefully the powers that be won't shit on the most vulnerable because they didn't get their way.
Not too much of an analysis here folks, just my raw thoughts on the matter without too much refinement or research. That's what happens when I procrastinate, and the vote is tomorrow. Do go out and vote - I'd like to see something approaching a mandate, and 20% turn out isn't going to cut it.
