Fisette: Arlington's Long Bridge Park Could Be Part of 2024 Olympics

Arlington County strongly supports the Washington, D.C. region’s bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette said today in a news release from the county. Here’s more, from the release:

“Today’s announcement that a leadership team has been formed for Washington 2024 means that our region’s bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic games has kicked into full gear, “ Fisette said. “I speak for the County Board when I say that the Olympics could be a great thing for this region and for Arlington. We agree with Washington 2024 that this is an historic opportunity for our region to be part of the Olympic Movement.”

Arlington looks forward to holding discussions with Washington 2024 on the possibility of Long Bridge Park being included in the organization’s plan for the Olympics, Fisette said.

“Back in June, when we suspended construction plans for Phase 2 of Long Bridge Park, which will include the Aquatics, Health and Fitness Facility, we noted that we expected the park to be part of the plan for bringing the Olympics to the Washington Region,” Fisette said. “That is still our hope. We believe that Long Bridge could be a great venue for Olympic swimming events.”

The County’s goal, Fisette said, remains to deliver all phases of the Long Bridge Park project as laid out in the Long Bridge Park Master Plan adopted by the County Board in 2013.

The County decided not to award a contract for construction of Long Bridge Park Phase 2 in June after bids came in above the budgeted amount for the project. County Manager Barbara Donnellan said at the time that she would seek potential partnerships and sponsorships for the project and report back to the County Board in mid-2015 with recommendations. By early 2015, the United States Olympic Committee will decide whether to submit a bid for the 2024 Olympics and pick the U.S. City.