Calgary Bid Exploration Committee delivers on mandate and concludes services for the City of Calgary

The Calgary Bid Exploration Committee (CBEC) has delivered on its mandate to assess the feasibility of bidding for, and hosting, a potential 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (OPWG). The 17 volunteer CBEC board members, representing diverse backgrounds and professions, are honoured to have served the City of Calgary on such an important initiative. Over 15,000 Albertans participated in the exploration exercise by providing their valuable input on how a potential Games could impact them and their communities. CBEC delivered its final Feasibility Study and Conceptual Master Hosting Plan to Calgary City Council on July 24, 2017, and is ceasing operations effective October 31, 2017.

CBEC’s report concluded that it is feasible for the City of Calgary to bid for, and host, a potential 2026 OPWG. However, CBEC recommended further work to determine whether Calgary should bid, based on five principles that still need to be answered. The report included over 5,400 pages of documentation, representing thousands of hours of work, including time and expertise that was graciously donated by many community minded individuals and companies in Calgary. The combined efforts of CBEC Board Members and staff, along with the donated contributions, helped CBEC complete its work nearly 40 per cent under budget.

CBEC has transferred all knowledge and information gathered through the feasibility study to the City of Calgary Administration. The committee members remain available as individuals to support a prospective future bid committee to secure the Games for Calgary.

Collectively, CBEC members are excited about the possibility of an Olympic Paralympic Winter Games bid in 2026. If the conditions for making a bid can be met, the committee believes that the Games might once again galvanize Calgarians, Albertans and Canadians, celebrating our diverse community through an inclusive event that could define Calgary's next chapter.

For updates visit http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Recreation/Pages/Calgary-2026-Olympic-bid/Olympics-Bid-2026.aspx

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Calgary Bid Exploration Committee:

On September 19, 2016 the Calgary Bid Exploration Committee (CBEC) was formed as a partnership between The City of Calgary and Tourism Calgary. Its mandate is to conduct an objective, balanced, comprehensive feasibility assessment on whether or not The City of Calgary can reasonably host the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (OPWG) and; if so, whether it is reasonable and prudent that Calgary should submit a bid to the International Olympic Committee to host the Games and, if so, subject to what conditions.