Chicago looks to Northern Indiana in bid for 2016 Olympics

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

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2016 Chicago Olympic Committee asks for hotels in South Bend

Representatives from the 2016 Chicago Olympic Committee are asking officials across Northern Indiana to help provide some of the 60,000 hotel rooms needed for the event. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Aug 27, 2008 at 4:00 PM EST

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2008 at 12:42 PM EST

SOUTH BEND -- The Summer Olympics in Beijing just wrapped up, but planning is already under way for the 2016 games. Chicago is one of four cities trying to host the games, and our area could play an important role.

Hotel rooms are one of the biggest factors. Many people feel that's one of our area's strengths.

Thousands of hotel rooms will be needed to put on the games. Wednesday, a representative from the 2016 Chicago Olympic Committee met with officials across Northern Indiana asking them to help provide the space. Many say they can't wait to get involved in the Olympic experience.

There's no doubt the Olympics are exciting. But it's also big business.

"I think it will be a tremendous impact because not only do you have the opportunity to have the Olympic volunteers and workers and committees, but also tourists who come from other countries who come to the area for the first time," said Gary Wheat, Executive Director of the South Bend-Mishawaka Convention and Visitors Bureau.

They'll need 60,000 hotel rooms for what the IOC calls the "Olympic Family." It's made up of Olympic workers, sponsors and the media. Because many of the proposed venues will be outside the Chicago area, hotels in our area will play a key role in accommodating those people.

"There's a lot of team effort involved in something of this magnitude and it reaches far beyond the city of Chicago. And that's why we're here, to display our team support," said Wheat.

Hundreds of hotels, including Varsity Clubs of America in Mishawaka and even bed and breakfasts like the Feallock House in Michigan City, have been asked to block off 85 percent of their rooms for the games.

"I’m excited, I'm enthused,” said Feallock House owner Janet Smith.

"I think it's a great opportunity for the Varsity Clubs of America and obviously the South Bend community as well. Looks like it could be a wonderful thing leading into the football season as well going into that year," said Varsity Clubs of America General Manager Jason Hertl.

But the benefits don't end there. Officials also think the games will showcase what the area has to offer.

"We have Indiana Dunes, we have Notre Dame and we have Amish Country. And we're going to have the opportunity to really put out that welcome mat and show the world what we have and show them that hospitality in the Midwest," said Lorelei Weimer, Executive Director of the Porter County Convention Recreation and Visitors Commission.

Local hotels are also in a prime spot because of the easy access to the Toll Road and the South Shore Train. The IOC will pick the host city October 2, 2009.

So far, they have around 42,000 rooms in the Chicago area. That means they need 18,000, which is why they're holding meetings like the one Wednesday.

In addition to our area, the Olympic Committee is also trying to secure rooms in other areas, like Milwaukee.

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