Caledon Equestrian Park Named Official Pan Am Games Venue

Renowned facility will receive improvements to ensure lasting sport and community legacy

CALEDON, ON, May 18, 2012 /CNW/ - TO2015, the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Organizing Committee, the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the Town of Caledon joined together today to make their first official venue announcement for the Games: unveiling plans for the Caledon Equestrian Park.

Equine Canada President Mike Gallagher and equestrian athletes Yann Candele and Jill Henselwood also participated in the on-site announcement in Caledon.

"Caledon Equestrian Park is a world-class facility with a well-earned reputation in the international equestrian community," said TO2015 Chief Executive Officer, Ian Troop. "What's more, it's a publicly-owned facility so the investments we'll be making for the Pan Am Games will benefit the public for many years to come. That's one reason why we are calling Toronto 2015 the 'People's Games,' because the investments we're making are aimed at making events accessible to the public, and will create a rich public legacy. "

"The Harper Government is pleased to announce the Caledon Equestrian Park as the official equestrian venue for the 2015 Pan American Games," said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). "Our Government's significant investment in these Games for sport infrastructure, legacy and essential federal services will not only result in economic prosperity for Caledon and the Greater Toronto Area, but will leave a lasting sporting legacy here in Canada for years to come."

In preparation for the Toronto 2015 Games, the park will receive capital investment from the Government of Canada, Town of Caledon, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and Equestrian Management Group for upgrades and improvements, which will include:

• A new main stadium building.
• Permanent spectator seating areas and areas for temporary Games-time seating.
• Relocation of and improvements to stabling areas.
• A new grand prix ring, warm up rings and training areas.
• A new indoor riding arena.
• Infrastructure improvements such as services and grading.
• Other related amenities such as blacksmith area and veterinary area.

Ontario will be supporting the cost of venue overlay and Games operations through its $500 million contribution to the TO2015 budget.

The improvements and upgrades will be overseen by Equine Canada and TO2015 with John MacDonald Architect Inc., a local firm who was awarded the contract in January 2012 through a public tendering process led by the Town of Caledon. Construction is targeted to begin in fall 2012 with completion by the spring of 2014.

The participation of Caledon Equestrian Park in the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games will have a significant economic impact on the Town of Caledon. A study conducted by the Canadian Sport Tourism Association for the Town of Caledon found the annual economic impact of these improvements estimated at $15.1 million.

"I am very proud that Caledon will be part of the 2015 Pan American Games by hosting equestrian events at our world-class Caledon Equestrian Park," said David Tilson, Member of Parliament (Dufferin-Caledon). "We are looking forward to welcoming athletes and spectators from across Canada and the Americas to Caledon in 2015."

"The 'People's Games' will create jobs, support the community and keep the local economy in Caledon on track for our children and grandchildren," said Charles Sousa, Ontario Minister responsible for the Pan/Parapan American Games.

"The Town of Caledon looks forward to working with the TO2015, its partners and ours, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Equestrian Management Group and Region of Peel to ensure that collectively we host the most successful Pan Am Games yet," said Mayor Marolyn Morrison, Town of Caledon. "We are very proud that the Caledon Equestrian Park was selected for the Toronto 2015 equestrian events and our team is committed to ensuring that the facility will serve our community for years to come."

"This investment ensures that Caledon Equestrian Park will provide an accessible public legacy for the region to develop and train elite athletes and recreational riders for decades to come," said Mike Gallagher, President, Equine Canada. "As the National Sport Federation representing, promoting and developing horse sport and interests in Canada, Equine Canada fully supports the suitability of Caledon Equestrian Park as a venue for the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games."

Caledon Equestrian Park is a municipally-owned facility that will host dressage and show jumping competitions during the Games. As the equestrian hub in Ontario, the park has hosted 15 World Cup qualifiers, four Pan American Games selection trials, two Olympic selection trials and more than 150 National Grand Prix events.

"We are very confident that Toronto will deliver a great competition and we are looking forward to working on the 2015 Pan Am Games together with the Organizing Committee and Equine Canada," added Ingmar de Vos, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General, Fédération Equestre Internationale.

TO2015's venue selection process is based on standards set by International Sport Federations (IFs), approval of the sport program by the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) and consultation with the National Sport Federations (NSFs).

A venue in Orangeville is currently under review for the cross-country portion of the eventing competition.

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 48 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: "From L to R: MPP Sylvia Jones (Dufferin-Caledon), Charles Sousa, Ontario Minister responsible for the Pan/Parapan American Games, Ian Troop, Chief Executive Officer, TO2015, Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), MP David Tilson (Dufferin-Caledon), Regional Councillor Richard Whitehead, Town of Caledon and Mike Gallagher, President of Equine Canada (CNW Group/Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120518_C8893_PHOTO_EN_13937.jpg

Carlene Siopis
Communications Advisor
TO2015
[email protected]
Tel: [phone]