The "People's Games" — Accessible, Affordable for Families

Toronto 2015 Games to Create Jobs and Much-Needed Sports Infrastructure

TORONTO, May 11, 2012 /CNW/ - The Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) today announced the locations that will host the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.  The "People's Games" will be accessible and affordable, and will benefit communities throughout the Greater Golden Horseshoe region and attract visitors from around the world.

Games organizers also released the updated budget for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games, and committed to ongoing regular public status reports, including budget updates beginning in the fall.

They also announced that, pending approval in July from the Pan America Sports Organization (PASO), the Toronto 2015 Games will host an additional eight Pan Am-only sports, as well as the 28 Olympic Summer Games sports, for a total of 36 sports.

The Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games plans will be announced in the coming weeks.

The following are the core destinations, or clusters, that will host a minimum of two sports:

• Toronto Pan Am Park
  As the Games' largest cluster, Toronto Pan Am Park will host more than a dozen sports, such as cycling (road), triathlon, squash and rugby sevens.
  
  
• University of Toronto (Scarborough) Pan Am Complex
  This cluster will host aquatic sports such as swimming and diving as well as field sports such as modern pentathlon. It will also become the new home of the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario which will support athletes and sport organizations throughout Ontario and Canada.
  
  
• Mississauga Pan Am Complex
  This cluster will serve as the Games' centre for combative sports.
  
  
• Markham Pan Am Complex
  This cluster will host numerous events including water polo, badminton and table tennis.
  
  
• Etobicoke Pan Am Complex
  This cluster will host archery, cycling (BMX) and bowling.
  
  
• University of Toronto (Downtown) Pan Am Complex
  This cluster will host field hockey, roller sports and handball.
  
  
• York University Pan Am Complex
  This cluster will host athletics and tennis.

"Clustering enables us to stage Games that maximize access for people in communities throughout the region and keep costs down during a period of fiscal restraint," said TO2015 Chief Executive Officer, Ian Troop. "We're using a combination of new construction and repurposing of existing facilities. That means affordable, accessible Games as well as an important legacy of new facilities throughout the region."

"This approach is really about creating a People's Games," added Troop. "Events in communities where people live, work and play. Affordable ticket pricing so an average family of four can attend competitions. Sites that are open and accessible so people can mix easily with athletes. Cultural celebrations of our vitality and diversity. And a living legacy for future generations to enjoy. "

As well, Pan Am competitions will take place in these locations throughout the region:  Hamilton (soccer), Toronto (basketball), Caledon and Orangeville (equestrian), Welland and Minden Hills (canoe/kayak), Oro-Medonte (cycling—mountain), St. Catharines (rowing), Oshawa (boxing) and Toronto Island (sailing).

Negotiations are underway with the Town of Milton for the construction of a four-season velodrome for track cycling with an infield for community sports. TO2015 is currently reviewing proposals for an eighth cluster to host baseball and softball competitions. Over the summer, Golf Canada will be seeking proposals from golf course operators in the region to host golf during the Games.  Finally, TO2015 is in discussions for a site to host shooting sports.

Construction is already underway on the CIBC Pan and Parapan Am Games Athletes' Village in Toronto's West Don Lands. This project alone is creating 5,200 jobs. The Village will live long after the Games as a brand new, mixed-income community in the heart of Canada's largest city.

These Games are also being supported by some major projects, such as the Union Pearson Air Rail Link that will be in service for the Games. The revitalization of Union Station is underway with substantial completion planned in 2015.

"Hosting the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games will bring economic prosperity throughout the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario and ultimately our country as a whole," said the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance. "From construction to tourism, the local and regional economy will be supported through job creation and growth for Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs before, during and after the Games."

"The Government of Canada is proud to make a significant investment in the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games," said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). "Not only will our contribution provide our world-class athletes with the opportunity to compete in state-of-the-art sport facilities during the Games, it will leave behind lasting legacies for the Canadian sport system and the region for years to come."

"The McGuinty government led the bid to host the People's Games to stimulate the economy, create jobs and build much-needed sport infrastructure for our athletes to train and compete at home," said Charles Sousa, Ontario Minister responsible for the Pan/Parapan American Games. "The People's Games have also accelerated projects, such as the revitalization of Toronto's waterfront through the construction of the Athletes' Village and the Air Rail Link, which will benefit our children and grandchildren."

"The Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Games will provide new and redeveloped infrastructure across the Greater Golden Horseshoe," said the Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. "The legacy of these Games will bring great opportunities for our talented and aspiring athletes for years to come. The venues will provide the necessary facilities to train and compete, and will increase sport participation across the region as our children and families enjoy access to much-needed recreation facilities." 

The revised Pan Am Games footprint announced today, pending final agreements with municipal partners and PASO approval, involves 11 municipalities and three universities hosting 36 sports. The original 2009 Toronto 2015 Bid Book involved 16 municipalities hosting 36 sports at more than 40 venues.

About the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games
The Pan American Games are one of the world's largest international multi-sport events, held every four years for athletes of the 41 member nations of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO). The Games comprise all Olympic Summer Games sports, as well as traditional Pan American sports. The Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games will draw 10,000 athletes and officials and feature more than 40 Pan and Parapan sports in municipalities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe area. The Toronto 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10−26 and the Parapan American Games August 7-14.  For more information about the Games, please visit toronto2015.org.

Image with caption: "Toronto 2015 Footprint (CNW Group/Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120511_C6694_PHOTO_EN_13574.jpg

For further information:

Elissa Freeman
Vice-President, Communications and Public Relations
TO2015
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]