The City of Santa Monica has taken the first steps to create what it calls the “Celebrate 28 Initiative,'' inviting relevant members of city staff, key community leaders and business representatives to “shape the trajectory of our city.'' We invite you to play a vital role in We are preparing for this worldwide event. ”
A total of nine separate committees have been established, according to the city, “to be the driving force in defining goals, setting milestones, and determining resource needs critical to Santa Monica's participation in the LA28 Olympic Games.” That's what it means.
Committee members will be “at the forefront of decision-making and provide expertise to ensure Santa Monica's Olympic involvement is not only memorable but impactful.”
said Lauren Howland, Communications and Public Affairs Officer for the City of Santa Monica. daily press“This initiative is in a very early stage, so there is not much to share yet. I just did it.”
Some of Santa Monica's most important planners, organizers and business representatives include Police Chief Ramon Batista, Santa Monica Pier Corporation Executive Director Jim Harris, Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas, Director of Operations and Placemaking, has been asked to serve on selected committees. Jeremy Ferguson.
“As an interdepartmental initiative, Celebrate28 is led by the City Administration with the aim of ensuring the City and its partners are prepared for this major global event to take place in our City. “This is largely due to internal organization,” Howland said. Planning efforts to coordinate with the departments most involved in the event. ”
According to the city, each member can expect the following:
• Participate in regular committee meetings to share ideas, track progress, and develop and execute strategy.
• Work with other committee members to outline clear goals and milestones that align with Santa Monica's values and vision for the LA28 Olympics and a plan to achieve them.
• Identify the resources needed to accomplish the Commission's goals and advocate for the allocation of resources consistent with the City's annual budget process.
• Clearly define roles and responsibilities and take actionable steps to implement the committee's plan.
“As with everything we do as a city, all major decisions, especially those with financial implications, are made at the direction of the City Council. Council members are fully briefed,” Howland said. he said.
The 2028 Olympic Games will be held across Los Angeles County, with Santa Monica's vast sandy beaches serving as the venue for beach volleyball competitions. The concept plan includes his temporary 12,000-seat stadium north of the pier, plus warm-up and practice courts along with operational and broadcast components in Beach Lot 1 North.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be moved to New Jersey's MetLife Stadium because the $5.5 billion SoFi Stadium pitch was too small, so there will be more emphasis on Olympic success. As a result, Santa Monica will miss out on a dry run of sorts, not to mention significant revenue. However, as a small consolation, while SoFi will host his first U.S. game of 2026, the Inglewood venue will only host eight games (out of 104 total), of which the highest ranking is his There will only be one match. Quarter finals.
scott.snowden@smdp.com