Davey discusses Games bid, says Lake Quinsigamond might not measure up
PHOTO/RICK SAIA
Richard Davey, CEO of Boston 2024, addresses an audience at the College of the Holy Cross Tuesday about Boston's bid to host the Summer Olympics.
It may be years before the Olympic Games come to Massachusetts – that is, if they come – but even though they would focus on Boston, there are opportunities for the rest of the Bay State to take part, the head of the group behind the bid told business leaders Tuesday.
Richard Davey, the transportation secretary under former Gov. Deval Patrick, said Boston 2024, the privately funded nonprofit that’s leading the city’s bid, is looking around the commonwealth at possible event locales.
Davey is CEO of Boston 2024. In his address to about 100 this morning at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, he said his organization wants to involve the entire state in the games and is already looking at sites away from Boston as possible event hosts.
While Worcester is not in the mix yet, that could change, he indicated.
While city officials have suggested that Lake Quinsigamond should be considered for rowing events, Davey said that might not be possible. In response to a question, he said two challenges with international Olympic rowing standards – which, he said, also impact the Charles River – could disqualify the lake. Specifically, Davey said, the Burns Bridge on Route 9, which connects Worcester and Shrewsbury, may be too narrow, and the lake may not have adequate turning lane for competing boats.
However, Boston organizers may talk with international rowing authorities about Lake Quinsigamond and the Charles River should they feel the need, Davey said.
Davey said the DCU Center is also being considered as a potential site for events.
Boston 2024 is already looking as far as the Deerfield River in Western Massachusetts as a potential site for canoeing and kayaking events, he said, as well as Buzzards Bay for sailing and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough for soccer.
In his 25-minute address, Davey cited as strengths for Boston’s bid the area’s stature as a destination for international students and those from around the world who come for specialized health care.
“We welcome the world,” he said.
At the same time, as part of a brief screen presentation, Davey underscored Boston 2024’s goal of not having to use state or local taxpayer money as part of an estimated $9.1 billion to prepare for and host the games. The only government revenue in the presentation would come from the federal government, which would pay about $1 billion for security.
A key to winning the bid, he said, is the state’s transportation infrastructure, which will have to move about 1 million people to and from events during the roughly 30-day period in which they will be held. He said it would be “a shame” if the state did not improve its transportation infrastructure in a way that lasts beyond the Games.
Davey’s visit to Worcester is one of several he has planned around the commonwealth. He said the public feedback will dictate the development of plans for the Games.
The International Olympic Committee is scheduled to announce the site of the 2024 games in September 2017.
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