Sir Rols Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 Well, I guess it's timely to start a thread on Edmonton 2022 now. To start off: Commonwealth bid brings back memories Call it ‘Distant Replay’ or ‘The Second Coming of Edmonton’. The announcement Monday that Edmonton is a finalist for the 2022 Commonwealth Games could be both. In 1978, the Commonwealth Games was the coming-out party for our city. It can now become the event to signify the complete comeback of the City of Champions & Championships. In 1978 it was event that gave the city Commonwealth Stadium and new facilities galore to go with a new hockey arena to host gymnastics. An NHL hockey club followed and five Stanley Cups. The Eskimos won five consecutive Grey Cups. The city played host to Universiade ’83 and then a steady stream of world championships in soccer, figure skating, curling, track and field, triathlon, baseball, etc. It’s like the second cycle of all that now with the new Rogers Place downtown arena, a new run of world championship events on deck including the triathlon worlds and U-20 women’s soccer championships this summer and next year’s hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. When (OK, if) the Eskimos and Oilers cooperate with their trips to the top, the new arena opening in 2017 and now the possibility of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, it’s so much more than a ‘Distant Replay’ of an event which had gone out of fashion but is making a big comeback. It would lead perfectly into the do-over of the event which took the Commonwealth Games to a new level in the first place. The media release was sent out Monday morning as bids closed for the 2022 Games. Edmonton was entered for Canada’s first hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 28 years and second since Edmonton hosted the event 44 years earlier. An hour later city manager Simon Farbrother held a media availability at City Hall. “We understand that cities like London and Singapore considered bidding. There seemed to be a quality discussion in London. The Mayor of London did comment that he thought London would bid,” he said of an idea to follow up the London 2012 Olympics with the Commonwealth Games a decade later. “Ultimately they didn’t and so it’s a two-horse race. “The formal deadline was 5 p.m. London time.” One other bid was filed at the same time that Edmonton didn’t see coming. “Our competition is Durban, South Africa.” Their big sell is that there has never been a Commonwealth Games in Africa. Durban has a metro population of about three million and is famous for being the biggest port in all of Africa and featuring a subtropical climate and extensive beaches. “Our city should feel confident but not complacent,” suggested Farbrother. “Theirs will be a formidable bid. Africa is an emerging continent. South Africa did host the 2010 World Cup. It will be a formidable competitor but our city has done very well with these bids over many, many years. “We’ll put a professional, emotional, passionate bid together. “This is going to be a highly competitive process. Having said that, the Commonwealth Games Federation knows that Canada is able to put on Games in a very, very professional way and are able to follow up on our commitments. Canada has a strong reputation about having the ability to put on events and Canada has a very, very strong reputation. “I’m excited.” Is Edmonton going to win? “We will, yes. We don’t go into these things to come second. Let’s put it that way.” Commonwealth Games Canada CEO Brian MacPherson believes the event is on its way back to former prominence and a reverse of the Edmonton-Brisbane-Edinburgh run in the 1978-82-86 peak years will be replicated in reverse with Glasgow-Brisbane-Edmonton in 2014-18-22. It’s all the unstated goal after the Delhi, India disaster. “That was a mess,” he said. Bringing the Commonwealth Games back to it’s old stature is what it’s all about in several directions. “Glasgow will feature our largest team outside Canada with 265 athletes with all the sports sending our best athletes as will be expected from other countries.” Having the first Commonwealth Games in Africa is definitely a challenge but not unbeatable. “There are 19 African votes out of 71 overall,” he said. “Canada enjoys a reputation and Commonwealth Games. And Canada has sent 200 sports leaders to 30 different developing countries as part of our Sports Works programs.” The African nations will be encouraged to remember Edmonton chartering a flight to bring them all here in 1978. But they’re not banking on cashing IOU’s there. “We’re confident our bid will win on our merits,” said MacPherson. “I think we will win.” The news caught Edmonton by surprise Monday, even though it had been known since a delegation made a trip to Glasgow in 2012 that there was interest. “There’s been an element of secrecy involved in this,” said Farbrother. “The interesting thing or the dichotomy of these bids is they almost need to be somewhat secretive in terms of getting the bid out, but as soon as the bid is out we want to open this up.” The actual bid itself has to be submitted by March of next year. The decision will be made Sept. 2, 2015. “The city has been considering a formal bid for a number of years. We met with Commonwealth Games Canada. We’ve met with the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation. “We’ll be sending a delegation to Glasgow. We will have official observer status. It’s tremendously important to understand how an event is actually managed. We have a very, very experienced event team in the city. We have a very, very strong reputation externally about our ability to manage events but it is always an advantage to hone our skills and be competitive that way.” Edmonton sent the contingent to Glasgow in 2012 to investigate their bid and made it the model for what they’ve done so far. “The Games in Glasgow are looking to be a fabulous success. I understand, basically they’re sold out. Brisbane is a great cache location in terms of the next one and Edmonton would follow that. If you’re the Commonwealth Games Federation, there’s a risk/reward in terms of where you host these Games,” said Farbrother. It’s a big money bit of business. “The bids for Glasgow and Brisbane, Australia (2018) have been about a billion dollars for the cost of putting on a Games of this magnitude. I believe Brisbane is expecting a $2 billion return on that investment,” he said. “It’s really an opportunity to build a legacy upon a legacy,” said Farbrother. That’s the theme of the dream. “Certainly the model for 2022 would be creating the same model for a legacy in the same fashion that you’ve seen that has helped build Edmonton from 1978 going forward. “Edmonton is really well placed. If we think of 1978, Commonwealth Stadium is still one of the premium stadiums in the country. That’s why we’ve hosted so many events and will host so many games the the FIFA Women’s World Cup next year. “Let’s not forget, we’re going to have a brand new arena as part of the inventory of hosting the Games.” Early plans would be to use Commonwealth Stadium to play host to the opening and closing ceremonies. There are now 17 sports in the Games including men’s and women’s field hockey and the massively popular rugby sevens. A new stadium of 10,000 or so to host one of them could become a new FC Edmonton stadium and give Edmonton a future of joining Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC and Montreal Impact in the MLS. “All these sort of potentials are out there,” said Farbrother. We basically have a year to complete that big package, put it in a fashion to make it a successful bid and leverage the opportunity to continue to grow a range of opportunities within the city. “If you go back to 1978, we can sit here today and we can point to very, very significant investments in the city that are a consequence of bringing a major, major event to the city.” And there’s more news to come. There’s another announcement coming Tuesday. Would you believe the Red Bull Crashed Ice event will now alternate years between Quebec City and Edmonton? 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Faster Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 Deadmonton is dead in the water. I am not the biggest South Africa fan but this as Hamilton 2.0 written all over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatsnotmypuppy Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 Lets see if South Africa stays the distance or does a Dubai. Furthermore has Durban got a solid venue plan? A bit premature to write off Edmonton. The IOC was able to say no to Cape Town. A sparkly new stadium an conference centre is not enough... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intoronto Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 But 2004 would have meant three straight out of Europe. Athens also had the sympathy card. Anyways there is 19 African votes and iirc South Africa has said they wanted to bid only when they had full backing of the continent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Coast Lions Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 After Delhi India 2010 I doubt the Commonwealth Games federation will want to go to back to an developing country too soon I think the IOC will want to have two Commonwealth Games in a row to bring back to good mood for the games before going to another developing country by 2026 I think Singapore will make an bid for the 2026 games, The Commonwealth Games will most likely to go to Singapore for an new location the CGF got beating down lots for going to India and South Africa is like India got very high poverty leaves and got lots of social problems, The Fed will most likely go to Edmonton Canada to make up for the 2010 mess I think the CGF is longing to go back to Canada it has been 28 years since they last hosted the games and Africa can wait until they are ready this is not a charity event but the 2nd most important sporting event in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktoles Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 Well I live in Edmonton and I am as big a multi-sport games fanatic as any one on this board, but really? Edmonton is not at a point where we are ready to host an event like this again. Yes, 1978 left a fantastic legacy for sports and venues in this city, but with the costs required to upgrade everything and get some new venues in place, Edmonton really can't afford it. Our roads are crumbling, our bridges are falling apart, construction won't even be beginning on a new leg of the LRT for at least two years (and that's assuming everything goes perfectly, which in this city never ever does), we need new schools, upgrades to old hospitals are desperately needed, it's like Expo, we simply aren't in a position right now to be able to put an event of this magnitude on. Property taxes are already going to skyrocket because of that ridiculous arena (which the Oilers owner should be paying for himself), if we were to get this event, they'd go through the roof, and make it unaffordable for a lot of people in this city to live. I for one, am hoping that Durban has a really solid plan in place, time to go a new frontier, because Edmonton, sure as hell doesn't need it. I say Go Durban! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanMUC Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 After Delhi India 2010 I doubt the Commonwealth Games federation will want to go to back to an developing country too soon I think the IOC will want to have two Commonwealth Games in a row to bring back to good mood for the games before going to another developing country by 2026 I think Singapore will make an bid for the 2026 games, The Commonwealth Games will most likely to go to Singapore for an new location the CGF got beating down lots for going to India and South Africa is like India got very high poverty leaves and got lots of social problems, The Fed will most likely go to Edmonton Canada to make up for the 2010 mess I think the CGF is longing to go back to Canada it has been 28 years since they last hosted the games and Africa can wait until they are ready this is not a charity event but the 2nd most important sporting event in the world. I don't get this rambling about the IOC and Singapore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony E Loves Architecture Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 Singapore would be an excellent host. They have a world class setting, have many Venues in place and Hosted an excellent youth Olympic Games in 2010 and IOC session in 2005 (Where London got the 2012 Summer Olympics). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted April 2, 2014 Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 I'm getting the impression that Edmonton is a "suicide" bid to get us past Glasgow and spoiling the next host build up for Gold Coast. I gotta feeling that the CGF might be disappointed with the fact only two cities showed up. Would have loved to see Singapore bid. I've still got a 1978 highlights book and OMG what a different era...Red, White, and Blue...and not an "official sponsors" advertising billboard in site! (that wouldn't come in until 1990) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted April 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 I'm getting the impression that Edmonton is a "suicide" bid to get us past Glasgow and spoiling the next host build up for Gold Coast. How does that spoil preps? And why would Edmonton spoil preps more than any other bidder? Dopes that mean Tokyo, Madrid and Istanbul only bid for 2020 to spoil Rio's preps? Sounds more like you're hoping for a GC spoiler. I gotta feeling that the CGF might be disappointed with the fact only two cities showed up. Would have loved to see Singapore bid. When was the last time they had more than two? I sure can't remember it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted April 2, 2014 Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 How does that spoil preps? And why would Edmonton spoil preps more than any other bidder? Dopes that mean Tokyo, Madrid and Istanbul only bid for 2020 to spoil Rio's preps? Sounds more like you're hoping for a GC spoiler. When was the last time they had more than two? I sure can't remember it? If it was just a sole bid it would feel like a demeaning of Gold Coast...more the feel of "wait till after the next one, its South Africa! Cant wait til then" It would be like how Prince Charles feels at the moment. "Everyone's looking forward to William, I'm just a footnote".- your very "jumpy" Rols. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted April 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 If it was just a sole bid it would feel like a demeaning of Gold Coast...more the feel of "wait till after the next one, its South Africa! Cant wait til then" It would be like how Prince Charles feels at the moment. "Everyone's looking forward to William, I'm just a footnote". Very weird logic... so, let me see, so cities only bid on events to rain on the parades of anyone who's already been chosen. So the conversation in Edmonton city hall must have been: "Hey chuck! Let's spend a few millions on a commonwealth games ... we won't win, but we can spoil the Aussies anticipation for 2018!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatsnotmypuppy Posted April 3, 2014 Report Share Posted April 3, 2014 Well I live in Edmonton and I am as big a multi-sport games fanatic as any one on this board, but really? Edmonton is not at a point where we are ready to host an event like this again. Yes, 1978 left a fantastic legacy for sports and venues in this city, but with the costs required to upgrade everything and get some new venues in place, Edmonton really can't afford it. Our roads are crumbling, our bridges are falling apart, construction won't even be beginning on a new leg of the LRT for at least two years (and that's assuming everything goes perfectly, which in this city never ever does), we need new schools, upgrades to old hospitals are desperately needed, it's like Expo, we simply aren't in a position right now to be able to put an event of this magnitude on. Property taxes are already going to skyrocket because of that ridiculous arena (which the Oilers owner should be paying for himself), if we were to get this event, they'd go through the roof, and make it unaffordable for a lot of people in this city to live. I for one, am hoping that Durban has a really solid plan in place, time to go a new frontier, because Edmonton, sure as hell doesn't need it. I say Go Durban! This kind of post always make me laugh. I don't seem to recall Toronto plowing those $3+billion they ear-marked for the 2008 Games into infrastructure upgrades, new schools, hospitals etc after they lost to Beijing. Bottom line - the money won't be better spent elsewhere because all of a sudden if 2022 doesn't happen that money will suddenly not have ever really existed as far as the local politicians are concerned. You will get that new downtown arena sooner rather than later as hockey tends to win over common sense in Canada. The 2022 Games will also allow Rexall Place to hang on for another few years. You have the convention space for minor events and can easily whip up temp venues for others. Edmonton is a safe option - and frankly safe options keep winning hosting rights - especially after India fuckked it up for any new frontier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Coast Lions Posted April 3, 2014 Report Share Posted April 3, 2014 This kind of post always make me laugh. I don't seem to recall Toronto plowing those $3+billion they ear-marked for the 2008 Games into infrastructure upgrades, new schools, hospitals etc after they lost to Beijing. Bottom line - the money won't be better spent elsewhere because all of a sudden if 2022 doesn't happen that money will suddenly not have ever really existed as far as the local politicians are concerned. You will get that new downtown arena sooner rather than later as hockey tends to win over common sense in Canada. The 2022 Games will also allow Rexall Place to hang on for another few years. You have the convention space for minor events and can easily whip up temp venues for others. Edmonton is a safe option - and frankly safe options keep winning hosting rights - especially after India fuckked it up for any new frontier. After Delhi India 2010 mess the Commonwealth Games Federation will want to make it up to Canada for them not awarding them the 2010 games to them and India pretty much killed any bid from the developing countries for the next 20 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanMUC Posted April 3, 2014 Report Share Posted April 3, 2014 After Delhi India 2010 mess the Commonwealth Games Federation will want to make it up to Canada for them not awarding them the 2010 games to them and India pretty much killed any bid from the developing countries for the next 20 years. So you keep saying. Most of the Commonwealth countries are developing though, even this obscure place in Sri Lanka managed to get more than 25 votes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord David Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 This kind of post always make me laugh. I don't seem to recall Toronto plowing those $3+billion they ear-marked for the 2008 Games into infrastructure upgrades, new schools, hospitals etc after they lost to Beijing. Bottom line - the money won't be better spent elsewhere because all of a sudden if 2022 doesn't happen that money will suddenly not have ever really existed as far as the local politicians are concerned. You will get that new downtown arena sooner rather than later as hockey tends to win over common sense in Canada. The 2022 Games will also allow Rexall Place to hang on for another few years. You have the convention space for minor events and can easily whip up temp venues for others. Edmonton is a safe option - and frankly safe options keep winning hosting rights - especially after India fuckked it up for any new frontier. I'd make the convention center for media use. The Alberta auditorium for weightlifting. Add some downsizable indoor venues for minor sports. Isn't Edmonton getting another large arena by 2022? It could allow fir Rexall Place to be held on as the city's 2nd arena and concert venue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intoronto Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 I'd make the convention center for media use. The Alberta auditorium for weightlifting. Add some downsizable indoor venues for minor sports. Isn't Edmonton getting another large arena by 2022? It could allow fir Rexall Place to be held on as the city's 2nd arena and concert venue. Yea a new arena is currently under construction for the Oilers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktoles Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 This kind of post always make me laugh. I don't seem to recall Toronto plowing those $3+billion they ear-marked for the 2008 Games into infrastructure upgrades, new schools, hospitals etc after they lost to Beijing. Bottom line - the money won't be better spent elsewhere because all of a sudden if 2022 doesn't happen that money will suddenly not have ever really existed as far as the local politicians are concerned. You will get that new downtown arena sooner rather than later as hockey tends to win over common sense in Canada. The 2022 Games will also allow Rexall Place to hang on for another few years. You have the convention space for minor events and can easily whip up temp venues for others. Edmonton is a safe option - and frankly safe options keep winning hosting rights - especially after India fuckked it up for any new frontier. It's also not your property taxes and other service fees that would skyrocket as a result of this. As other posters point out, yes, Edmonton is getting a new arena, but the way it's being funded is absolutely ludicrous. We are building an arena for a hockey team that has been one of the worst teams in the league for the last seven to eight years. City Council is funding a private business enterprise (the arena) for a billionaire owner while we taking on all the costs and liabilities that go along with it while the owner gets to take in all the revenue that goes along with it. Tell me exactly how that's a good deal for Edmonton? As also pointed out, there would be no funding from the Federal Government. If Edmonton wins the bid, taxes, user fees, etc, will absolutely go through the roof and I sure as hell don't want to be on the hook for that. I support the Commonwealth Games, I just don't support the idea of having them HERE. It's not our problem that India royally screwed up. That kind of money can go to WAY more useful things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dysan1 Posted April 7, 2014 Report Share Posted April 7, 2014 how did that arena funding plan get passed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktoles Posted April 8, 2014 Report Share Posted April 8, 2014 http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/projects_redevelopment/arena-funding-model.aspx That's the official plan. However, saying that property taxes or other funds won't be allocated towards the building of this arena is complete and utter bollocks. These types of large scale projects here in the city are prone to delays and cost overruns (either through labour shortage, inclement weather, etc.) and so that extra funding is going to have to come from somewhere. Bottom line is, the city is going to pay for the massive majority of it while the Katz Group (arena owners) are the ones who will take in all the revenue. The City and taxpayers got royally screwed on this deal. There are also still a lot of unknowns in terms of funding: http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/01/29/concern-still-swirls-around-downtown-edmonton-arena-funding I was opposed to this project as well but City Council passed it and it's under construction, The Commonwealth Games I fear are just too big and too expensive for us to handle at this point in time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intoronto Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Logo: Source Website:http://edmonton2022.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Any early picture renderings of proposed venues yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatsnotmypuppy Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Good solid logo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor Mata Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Ok, it's an E. Any distinct meaning about the colours? BTW, logos featuring host city initials are CWG trend now, aren't they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted July 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Simple, neat, colourful... quite like this one. Roll on Durban's. BTW, logos featuring host city initials are CWG trend now, aren't they? No, Gold Coast has always gotta be different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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