The resort town has yet to receive a formal invitation to take part in discussions with Calgary

Whistler's mayor says the resort still has Olympic facilities

WHISTLER (NEWS 1130) – As Calgary councillors discuss a possible 2026 Winter Olympics bid, Whistler could be included in the plans.

Earlier this year, the International Olympic Committee said it wants bidding cities like Calgary to host more sustainable games by re-using existing facilities, something Whistler Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden says her city has in spades.

“It makes sense to do that because of course here in Whistler we still have Olympic facilities,” she said, referring to the ski jumping, cross country skiing course and other facilities which were built for the 2010 Vancouver games.

The challenge, according to Wilhelm-Morden, would be housing all the athletes.

“That would be a challenge. We had an athletes’ village here during 2010 but of course it was renovated and turned into an affordable housing neighbourhood,” she said.

In addition, council would need to gauge the public’s support and ensure there was available funding to host the games.

While some Whistler city staff have been approached by Calgary, Wilhelm-Morden said she has not received any formal invitation to discussions from Calgary’s mayor.

Calgary has received tentative support from the federal and provincial governments to help fund the $30 million bid, but the deal has not been finalized.