VANOC Considering Canceling Evening Award Ceremonies
VANOC is considering canceling evening award ceremonies during the 2010 Winter Games and "giving the medals out at sport venues to save money," according to Clare Ogilvie of CANWEST NEWS SERVICE. Canadian Minister of State for Sport Gary Lunn: "They are looking at all of their options and that is the right thing to do in today's economic climate. ... They have to prepare for the unknown." But Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed, whose town is planning to throw a C$18.5M party, said that Whistler residents "do not support the cancellation." Melamed: "We know there are challenges but this would be a huge blow to Whistler." Melamed added that not having the medals awarded at Whistler's Celebration Plaza Olympic venue "likely would put a damper on the atmosphere in Whistler" (CANWEST NEWS SERVICE, 12/24). In Vancouver, Bruce Constantineau reported the Whistler City Council "expressed its displeasure" with VANOC considering cancelling the ceremonies by delaying a decision last Tuesday "on a bylaw that would let VANOC use temporary housing for media and volunteers and set up temporary kiosks for food, beverage and retail uses at Games venues." The decision will be made January 27, "six days after VANOC is expected to release its new cost-cutting measures in a revised operating budget" (VANCOUVER SUN, 12/26).
GOLDEN GLOW: In a Q&A with the VANCOUVER SUN's Jeff Lee, VANOC CEO John Furlong said of the Vancouver Games in light of the economy, "I think we need to be a glow in the dark. We need to be an inspired organization. We're going to invest [C$1.3B] in the local economy this year. Our partners are going to invest the same thing. We're going to do everything we can to contribute and be a positive story in the community." More Furlong: "We need also to be inspiring. We need at the end of next year for people to feel a genuine sense of joy that we're having the Olympic Games at a time when many parts of the world have challenges. So I think that is part of our job for the next year." Furlong added the Canadian public has "spoken loud and clear that they want this, just from the response to ticketing. We're in a situation I find so stunning. We're five or six weeks into a ticketing program, we're over 14 months away from the Games, and we are for all intents and purposes sold out." Furlong added of the economy's impact on the Games, "There is no more arguing about priorities. You look at everything now through the lens of whether it is necessary. Is it necessary to stage great Games? If it isn't, it is up for discussion. The second thing it has done is make us ask every time we spend one dollar, am I getting the full dollar's value? That is not a bad thing. It will focus on making sure the things that matter contribute to the success of the Games" (VANCOUVER SUN, 12/26).
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Ryan Looking To Secure Funding To Offset
Reduction In Chicago 2016 Bid's Operating Surplus |
FUND RAISING: Chicago 2016 Chair & CEO Patrick Ryan said that he is "working to secure additional private insurance against potential operating losses" for the 2016 Olympics. However, Ryan declined to say how much he is seeking. In Chicago, Kathy Bergen reported the "collapse of the real estate and credit markets has forced Chicago 2016 to revise its estimated operating surplus" to $500M from $725M. The $225M reduction "stems from two changes," as the group no long is planning to "sell skyboxes at the main stadium, and no longer is it counting on a windfall from the sale of air rights over the McCormick Place truck yards." Ryan said to offset the reduction, "We're working on private funding." Ryan: "We haven't given up on the sale of the air rights, but due to the environment, we're not sure of it." Bergen noted Chicago "continues to be viewed as the front-runner" to land the 2016 Olympics (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/29).
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