An artist’s conception shows a possible Expo Plaza site, which would be part of the 2017 Expo. The main sites for the world’s fair would be the University of Alberta south campus and the Rossdale area near the legislature. (SUPPLIED PHOTO)

Edmonton's Expo bid isn't just aimed at eggheads, says Mayor Stephen Mandel.

Touting a theme dubbed "Harmony of Energy and Our Future Planet," the mayor said the $2.3-billion event, slated to be held for three months in the summer of 2017, will be a global draw, and not only for those keen on learning about the cutting-edge of sustainability and the environment.

"There'll be parts of it that will be part of a symposium which will look at the knowledge of energy but it's also supposed to be lots of fun," Mandel said yesterday, at a packed ceremony announcing the city had officially sent its bid to the federal and provincial governments for approval.

"This isn't about reading a book, it is about having fun and knowledge.

"Even though we've got a lot of commitments to doing things, it really is about a multitude of interests -- it's not just about symposiums."

Mandel said in addition to leading a global discussion on energy and how it impacts the globe, there will be plenty of attractions to help reach the estimated 5.3 million visits forecasted, including "energy efficient ways of supplying different kinds of rides, and different kinds of ways of looking at new energy."

Of the $2.3 billion (in 2009 dollars) price tag expected for the event, some $2 billion will be sought from other levels of government, which if not signed off on will see the Expo bid wilt before it even goes to the international bid committee.

Tony Franceschini, chair of the Expo 2017 bid committee, said a team of consultants prepared 14 studies on the event's viability and he's confident it will stay on budget and not run a deficit.

"We feel quite comfortable with our financial model that is presented in our bid submission," he said.

Franceschini noted that discussions with other levels of government will determine who is on the hook if there's a deficit. "It is now up to the federal and provincial governments to evaluate our bid and decide on their funding commitment."

The city will be asked to kick in $500,000 in 2010 to continue work on the bid and, if funding commitments come in from the federal and provincial governments, $22 million for the bid would have to be submitted by the summer of 2011.

If Edmonton's pitch is chosen from the votes of some 150 member countries in 2012, the remaining money would have to be put together prior to 2017.

Despite the hefty figures, Franceschini said the event, which will coincide with Canada's 150th birthday, will bring an estimated $2.6 billion into the Canadian economy -- primarily in Alberta -- and generate $818 million in government tax revenue.

At least one city councillor, however, said he's leery about spending any more money until the province shows its financial hand.

"We put in a bid today without a firm commitment from the province," said Coun. Tony Caterina. "If there's no provincial funding I can't in good conscience approve another $22 million."

No other competing cities have yet been announced, but Edmonton is Canada's only bid.