Chicago 2016
Changes Summer
Olympics Venue Plans After USOC Visit
Beijing
London Chicago
Association (Chicago, IL): By the time the United States Olympic Committee
(USOC) was wrapping up its evaluation visit of the Windy City, on
Wednesday, March 7, 2007, it is easy to imagine the Chicago 2016
Committee, the
Patrick Ryan chaired organization in charge of Chicago's Olympic bid,
busy unwrapping a new drawing board, or, at least, going back to the
old one.
When The USOC Talks Big Shots Listen
The United States Olympic Committee has said, all along, that the city it
chooses as the U.S. 2016
Summer Olympic Games candidate, if any, would be the one it feels has
the
best chance to win the international competition to host the Summer
Games in 2016. That sounds sufficiently reasonable to make sense; after all, you bet on the
horse
you feel will win. What also seems clear is that the Olympic bid
package Chicago 2016 met the USOC with this week did not look like a
surefire winner to the USOC, at least, not completely. And, in case you
are not sure, right now, those are the only eyes that matter to the Chicago 2016
Committee.
Fortifying My Point
Shortly after the United States Olympic Committee wrapped things up, the
bid committee changed the proposed 2016 Olympic watersports venue from
the University of Illinois at Chicago to the West Side's Douglas Park. Never mind, about your room,
Johnny.
According to Doug Arnot, Director Of Sport And Operations for Chicago
2016, the aquatics center's $80 million dollar price tag remains the
same. The center would be built next to Collins High school and would
consist of several permanent swimming pools and, at least, two temporary
pools. In any case, as an Olympic Games venue, the facility will need to
be
roomy enough to accommodate events such as swimming, of course, diving,
synchronized swimming, and water polo.
Just as in the UIC scheme, plans call for the facility to be left,
largely, in tact after the 2016 Olympic Summer Games. In the case of
Douglas
Park, the pools will, it has been suggested, assume the role of a much
needed and valuable neighborhood resource after the 2016 games.
The pool facility would, initially, have a roof, but it would have,
essentially, no ground level exterior walls. It has been stated that it
would be renovated, or transformed, into a completely indoor facility,
after the 2016 Summer Games.
Similarly, its 50 meter swimming pool would start its life with
a 20,000 seat capacity. After the Olympic Games that capacity
would
undergo substantial downsizing to about 2,500 seats.
Doug Arnot chimed in, once again, saying, "Our goal has been to leave a
legacy for Midwest and national aquatics programs. This facility will
be a center for competitive community swimming programs ... enhance USA
Swimming's diversity program and position Chicago to host important
national and regional competitions."
However, probably, the most telling and "to the point" statement of all,
and the most important one to the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid committee,
was the one made by USOC Vice President Bob Ctvrtlik. "We feel
comfortable with the requested change."
Did I mention who listens when
the United States Olympic Committee talks?
This news story is:
Chicago Moves Aquatics Venue T1GME
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