Labatt Breweries is "pumping more than" C$2M into
Toronto's bid for the 2008 Summer Olympics, according to
Tony Van Alphen of the TORONTO STAR. The contribution marks
the "biggest cash infusion for the campaign to date."
Officials estimate that the bid will cost C$22M. TO-Bid
Fundraising Dir Jim Ginou said in October that he had raised
C$3M in cash to help finance the bid (TORONTO STAR, 12/17).
FUNDS IN OH: In Cincinnati, Earnest Winston reported
that the Cincinnati 2012 bid committee has raised more than
$3.2M of its goal of $4.5M needed to complete a feasibility
and bid development plan. In addition to the $4.5M, about
$2.5M will be needed to finance the bid committees efforts
between 2000 and 2002 (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 12/16).
TEXAS REFERENDUM: In Houston, Julie Mason reports that
Houston voters "will likely" vote in a November election
whether the city should "proceed with a bid" for the 2012
Olympics. If the proposal passes, the 2012 Foundation will
"formally submit" a Games bid (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 12/17).
SITES IN BIG D: In Dallas, Harasta & Saul report that
Dallas 2012 Chair Tom Luce named Fair Park as the venue for
an Olympic Stadium if the city is awarded the Games,
"requiring either major renovations to the Cotton Bowl or
construction of a new stadium" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/17).
