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If the Summer Olympics do indeed come to Chicago in 2016, the Chicago Park District promised this week that they will contribute $20 million to aid in building a canoe and kayak slalom course on Northerly Island, which is double what their required financial commitment is set at. The contribution has not been submitted for board approval yet.
To share construction costs for the $40 million Olympic venue, the Park District plans to find a private developer to cover its $20 million offer. After the Olympics end, the District wants the developer to continue operating the slalom course as a white-water rafting attraction for tourists.
However, not everyone is on-board with the District’s decision. Friends of the Parks, a group that tracks parks operations, opposes the idea of a white-water rafting course. Erma Tranter, president of Friends of the Parks, commented on the issue to the Chicago Tribune, “It's pretty clear that we don't need or want a white-water rafting legacy project on Chicago's lakefront, given that we are Chicago and not Wyoming,” Tranter said.
Tim Mitchell, the District’s Superintendent, claims that the District is not committed to paying for a permanent slalom course, regardless of the fact that the 500-page bid book which outlines Chicago’s vision for the games mentions that “The Chicago Park District has committed to constructing the permanent venue components of the Olympic Island Slalom Course.” “I have several years ... to make the business decision," Mitchell said in an interview with the Chicago Tribune. “I do not have to spend any money.”
Post by Anna Deem
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I have an idea--if the Park District has that much money laying around, they could give it to the libraries and they could stop laying people off.
Wait a sec here...
Didn't Daley say that no taxpayer money would be used to fund the Olympics? The Chicago Park District is funded by Tax Payers. Why are they forking over 20 MILLION for Daley's Olympic scam?
There are a thousand better uses for that 20 million that would have a DIRECT impact on the people who use Chicago's Parks, but I guess when The KING asks for his money ... you pay up.
I just saw on the London 2012 Olympics site that they plan to keep their whitewater course as a permanent attraction.
Here is a paragraph from the london2012 site:
"......The White Water Canoe Centre will be built in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire to host the Canoe/Kayak Slalom events during the Olympic Games. After the Games, the venue will be developed to become a sporting and leisure facility for canoeing and white-water rafting, as well as a major competition venue for elite events. The Centre will be owned and managed by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority......."
If Chicago gets the bid and is the Host City: we know that the whitewater rafting site will be kept open so as to give ambulance chasing attorneys more business and so families can sue the City for wrongful death suits. I keep on hearing, "Why doesn't the City's parks have a place where I can go, with no previous training, to whitewater raft and not leave the City?" And now, our prayers may be answered, if Chicago wins the bid.