Reno-Tahoe plans to submit its bid to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) this fall for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, but first the Reno-Tahoe Winter Games Coalition will conduct a feasibility study.
Jim Vanden Heuvel, president and the chief executive of Pacific Sports West, attended a portion of the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Games and believes the Reno-Lake Tahoe region would feel the same economic benefits that Salt Lake City experience from hosting the Games.
Jim Kelly, president of Events Partners, the company that will be conducting the feasibility study, looked at the area’s infrastructure, including roads, airports, mass transit and venues for events. He said he has little doubt that the Reno area is capable of hosting the Games. He feels the population from nearby California cities like San Jose, San Francisco-Oakland and Sacramento will provide an excellent base for ticket sales.
Improvements of existing facilities such as Mackay Stadium and Lawlor Events Center on the University of Nevada-Reno Campus, the Reno Livestock Event Center and the Reno-Sports Convention Center would be required. Lake Tahoe’s ski resorts would host outdoor events.
Also proposed is construction of a multi-purpose sports complex that includes a 15,000-18,000-seat arena, an Olympic training facility and space for public recreation.
The general public will not have to fund the Olympics, said Vanden Heuvel.
To fund the feasibility study the coalition has begun selling a CD of inspirational songs and excerpts from past Olympic champions. Another source of financing will be “2014 Clubs” in which individuals and organizations will be asked for contributions of $20.14, $201.40 or $2,014.
There are other fundraisers planned.
The overall budget for Winter Games is around $1.5 billion but Reno-Tahoe would provide only one-sixth. TV rights, ticket sales, sponsors, licensing and merchandise, would cover the rest.
Vanden Heuvel said that development of infrastructure for the host city would be a priority from the federal government and that could raise Reno and Lake Tahoe into the ranks of the world’s top destinations.
