Table of contents
- Calgary 2026 plebiscite and the 1988 legacy
- Proposed venues and the $5.1 billion budget
- Evan Woolley, Mark Tewksbury and public support
- Security costs, global rejections and Oxford data
- WinSport, Olympic Oval and future hosting chances
Calgary 2026 plebiscite and the 1988 legacy
Calgary entered 2018 as a leading contender to host the 2026 Winter Olympics. The city relied on its experience from the 1988 Games and existing venues. Debate quickly focused on affordability. In November 2018, 56 per cent of voters rejected continuing the bid, ending months of discussion.
The timing mattered. Alberta’s economy was still recovering from an oil downturn. Unemployment and empty downtown office towers shaped public mood. Mary Moran, CEO of the Calgary Olympic Bid Corporation, later said the vote came before funding agreements between governments were finalized. “We were dealt a pair of twos in a high-stakes game,” she said. “I just think we were left on our back foot defending situations that we didn’t know the numbers to.”
Proposed venues and the $5.1 billion budget
The 2026 proposal carried a $5.1 billion price tag. It aimed to fund long-delayed projects and renew aging facilities across the city. Planned investments included:
- A multi-sport fieldhouse and a mid-sized arena
- Renovations to the Saddledome and McMahon Stadium
- Upgrades to the Olympic Oval speed skating track
- Repairs to the sliding track and ski hill at WinSport
Temporary athlete housing was to be converted into affordable homes after the Games. Events would have been split between Calgary and mountain locations such as Canmore and Kananaskis, with Canmore offering financial support. Supporters argued the Olympics would unlock funding that would not otherwise reach the city.
Evan Woolley, Mark Tewksbury and public support
Former city councillor Evan Woolley chaired Calgary’s Olympic assessment committee. He supported the bid but later advised withdrawal when provincial and federal funding fell short. He said public enthusiasm declined through 2018 as financial commitments stalled. “We dragged and dragged and dragged,” Woolley said, describing the slow process.
Mark Tewksbury, a Calgary-born Olympic gold medallist from 1992, saw limited momentum from the start. “I thought it was a bit of a disaster from the start,” he said. He argued the bid focused too heavily on finances instead of a clear purpose. “Without that raison d’être to start… I feel like it was a little bit doomed to fail.”
Security costs, global rejections and Oxford data
Cost overruns shaped opposition in Calgary and elsewhere. A 2024 Oxford study found every Olympics since 1960 exceeded its original budget, with more than half costing over twice initial projections. Security has driven many overruns. After the 2024 Paris Games, Reuters reported that French auditors found security expenses were underestimated.
Calgary projected $495 million for security, a figure critics compared to Vancouver’s $1 billion-plus spending in 2010. Erin Waite from No Calgary Olympics warned the city carried the liability. “Likely, the government of Canada would step in and help. But on paper, the City of Calgary was solely liable, and you can’t ignore that.”
Similar concerns led cities such as Vienna and Boston to reject Olympic bids. Jules Boykoff, who studies Olympic impacts, said Calgary’s decision reflected a broader shift. “I think that a city that hosted the Olympics before… saying ‘no’ to the Games speaks volumes.”
WinSport, Olympic Oval and future hosting chances
Since the vote, Calgary’s sports infrastructure has continued to age. WinSport decommissioned its ski jump towers and suspended its sliding track in 2019. The Olympic Oval remains in use but is nearing the end of its lifespan, according to former speed skater Catriona Le May Doan. “The oval is on the brink of disaster,” she said, adding that a fieldhouse has remained an unfunded priority for decades.
Canada’s next hosting opportunities appear distant. After Milan, upcoming Games are scheduled for Los Angeles, the French Alps, Brisbane, and Salt Lake City. Switzerland is widely seen as a leading contender for 2038. Canada is unlikely to host again before the 2040s, unless governments align behind a future bid. The question for Calgary remains unresolved, balancing Olympic legacy against long-term costs and infrastructure needs.
FAQ
Why did Calgary withdraw from hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Calgary withdrew after a November 2018 plebiscite in which 56 per cent of voters opposed continuing the Olympic bid.
What was the projected cost of the Calgary 2026 Olympic bid?
The proposed budget for hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics in Calgary was estimated at $5.1 billion.
Which facilities were planned for upgrades under the 2026 bid?
Planned projects included a multi-sport fieldhouse, a mid-sized arena, and renovations to the Saddledome, McMahon Stadium, Olympic Oval, and WinSport facilities.
Who led the Calgary Olympic Bid Corporation?
Mary Moran served as the CEO of the Calgary Olympic Bid Corporation during the 2026 bid process.
Where are the 2026 Winter Olympics being held instead?
The 2026 Winter Olympics are being hosted in Milan, Italy.
Source: CBC
