Gurnee mayor joins Olympics bandwagon

Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik will be one of Lake County's top cheerleaders for bringing the 2016 Olympics to Chicago.

Kovarik recently became part of a Metropolitan Mayors Caucus committee charged with pumping up the potential regional benefits for the Summer Olympics.

If the 2016 Olympic Games come to Chicago, Kovarik said, it would present opportunities in the suburbs beyond hosting competitive events. She said athletes from some countries would arrive up to three months early and require lodging and practice sites.

"It has a much bigger impact on the region," Kovarik said. "It's more than just Chicago."

As part of her duties, Kovarik plans to visit other Lake County governments to seek passage of resolutions supporting the 2016 Olympic Games in Chicago.

Lake County already is on the radar as a possible site for equestrian events should Chicago become the host city.

Raven Glen Forest Preserve is considered the lead contender for the equestrian action by the Chicago 2016 Olympics committee. An original plan called for the equestrian events to be at Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda.

Kovarik said the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus committee she's serving on intends to identify athletic facilities that could be used by Olympic teams. She said other needs the suburbs could fill include public safety, volunteers and generally promoting the idea of having Chicago host the games.

Gurnee Mills and the Tri-State Tollway's Lake Forest Oasis would be good spots for promotional opportunities in Lake County, Kovarik said.

"Chicago can't do it by themselves," she said. "They're going to need help from the whole (metropolitan) community."

Meanwhile, officials from the Lake County Forest Preserve District and Chicago 2016 Olympics committee didn't meet as scheduled Wednesday.

Forest preserve spokesman Andy Kimmel said Chicago 2016 still must provide an equestrian concept plan for Raven Glen, and detail what would remain at the site after the Olympics. He said forest officials need the information before meeting with Chicago 2016.

"It'll be rescheduled at some point in the future," Kimmel said.