Updated: Tue Dec. 01 2009 08:16:33

ctvedmonton.ca

The cost to host the 2017 World Expo is expected to be $2.3 billion. The city showed off its vision for what the city could look like in eight years to prepare for the three-month event.

The Expo is set to be in two locations, the main site is pegged for the University of Alberta's south campus and the other is a redeveloped west Rossdale, which includes transforming the Rossdale Power Plant into a modern public space alongside a revamped Maxwell Dewar Building.

Edmontonians will be able to take a water taxi east and end up at the Rossdale site. The proposal also includes a new bridge to cross the North Saskatchewan River, which would replace the aging Walterdale crossing.

Tony Franceschini, chair of the bid committee, said Edmonton's Expo bid has now been listed with both the federal and provincial governments.

Franceschini, along with a 14-member committee have come up with the proposed theme, "Harmony of Energy and Our Future Planet," for the event.

The committee said the theme is about exploring clean energy sources for the future.

"We felt that was a theme that could capture the imagination of the world," said Franceschini.

Jana Clarke, marketing manager with MacEwan's School of Business believes the city's message is marketable.

"The environment is classic and primary to our world right now and I think it's a fabulous theme," said Clarke.

The committee said the theme itself will continue to evolve and develop if the city's bid is successful.

It now appears that Edmonton is the only city in the country interested in hosting the event after Calgary pulled its bid earlier this month.

Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel believes a successful Expo bid could provoke endless possibilities for the city.

"I see this as a goal that would unite and align so many aspects of what we want and desire for our city and our province," said Mandel.

City council still needs to approve the money to spend on the next phase of the bid, which is believed to be about $500,000.

Following that, the Canadian Heritage Ministry will put forward the bid to the Bureau of International Exhibitions for their consideration in the spring.

With files from CTV's Rob McAnally and Bill Fortier