Bid for Olympics takes shape

The Reno Lake Tahoe region is beginning to flex its muscle in an effort to land the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Jerry Cail, chairman of the Nevada Commission on Sports along with Jim Vanden Heuvel, president and the chief executive of Pacific Sports West, a non-profit organization that runs the Silver State Games and the Reno-Tahoe Winter Games Coalition, are spearheading an effort to bring the Olympics to the Sierra Nevada region.

Though the cause is still in its developmental stages, they are confident the Reno- Tahoe region is an Olympic-caliber location with a large population base, ample hotel accommodations and close proximity to venues for Olympic events.

Vanden Heuvel, who attended a portion of the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, believes the Reno-Lake Tahoe region would feel the same economic benefits that Salt Lake City experienced from hosting the Olympics.

"I was there for closing ceremonies, considering all the wonderful things Salt Lake City had done for these Games, and thought 'This is doable for Reno,'" Vanden Heuvel said.

The first step is a feasibility study to detail how the Games would be run, the viability of event venues and how to put together a proposal.

For the feasibility study, the group contracted Jim Kelly, president of Events Partners, Inc.

a company that specializes in studies for metropolitan areas seeking major special events.

Kelly and his company have done Olympic feasibility studies for several cities, including Houston and Atlanta.

In Reno, Kelly looked at the area's infrastructure, including roads, airports, mass transit and venues for events.

Kelly said the population from nearby California cities like San Jose, San Francisco-Oakland and Sacramento would provide an excellent base for ticket sales.

"I believe there is no question that Reno-Tahoe is the best place to

host the Games," he said.

"There's not many places around the world that have such a great metropolitan base."

Facilities such as Mackay Stadium and Lawlor Events Center on the University of Nevada-Reno campus, the Reno Livestock Event Center and the Reno-Sparks Convention Center have been cited as potential sites for indoor sports.

Lake Tahoe's ski resorts would host outdoor events.

"We would like to have all the indoor events down here in the Reno-Sparks area," Cail said.

But improvements on those facilities and the probable construction of a new venue would be required.

Considerations include expanding seating capacity at Mackay and the Livestock Event Center.

Also proposed is construction of a multi-purpose sports complex that includes a 15,000- to 18,000- seat arena, an Olympic training facility and space for public recreation.

The venue, tentatively called the Reno Ice Dome 500, might also be the home for a minor league professional hockey team or an arena football franchise in Reno.

"The long-term goal of this project is to have an Olympic Training Center," Vanden Heuvel said The project carries a hefty price tag.

The Ice Dome alone would cost approximately $123 million.

Cail said all funds would come from contributions and fundraisers not the taxpayers.

"The general public will not have to fund this Olympics," he said.

Already, the coalition has begun selling a CD, a compilation of inspirational songs and excerpts from past Olympic champions, and sales of the CD are expected to cover the $125,000 feasibility study cost.

Another source of financing will be "2014 Clubs," in which individuals and organizations be asked for contributions of $20.14, $201.40 or $2,014.

Other planned fundraisers include a Night of Olympians in May, a concert in August at the fairgrounds as well as world wrestling championships and figure skating events.

The proceeds will pay for the promotion of a Reno-Tahoe bid to the U.S.

Olympic Committee.

While the cost of the Winter Games might seem enormous, both Cail and Vanden Heuvel believe it's a worthwhile investment.

The overall budget for Winter Games is around $1.5 billion, but Reno-Tahoe would provide only one-sixth.

The rest would be covered by TV rights, ticket sales, sponsors, licensing and merchandise.

Salt Lake City generated revenues of $600 million from the 2002 Games, and reported a surplus of $100 million.

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.

The coalition will submit its bid to the U.S.

Olympic Committee this fall .

The USOC will announce the U.S.

candidate sometime in 2004 or 2005.

The International Olympic Committee in 2007 will select the host city for the 2014 Games.

"So far, we are the only U.S.

state to declare for 2014," Cail said.

Above all, Cail thinks bringing the Games to Reno-Tahoe will add prestige to the area.

"We would always like to be known as an Olympic city," Cail said.