TORONTO 2015 PAN/PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES CREATES COMPACT EVENT HUB AT YORK

TORONTO, Aug. 23 /CNW/ - Part-way through its review to confirm venues for the Pan and Parapan American Games, Toronto 2015 plans to add Athletics and Rugby to Tennis at the York University Keele campus, creating a new cluster of events for greater high-performance sport legacy value and increased travel and operations efficiencies, Ian Troop, CEO of Toronto 2015 announced today.

"The York cluster is an all-round benefit to the delivery of the Games," said Troop.  "Accelerating the review of these venues moves us an important step closer to on-budget and on-time Games readiness."

Toronto 2015 will continue to assess the venues for all three sports and will present recommendations on its full venue plan to its Board of Directors in September.  The board approval will then be confirmed by the Games partners.

"We are thrilled about this development, as it is a tremendous opportunity for York University, as well as the broader community," said Mamdouh Shoukri, York University President & Vice-Chancellor. "In pursuing these discussions, the university will be guided by a clear set of principles, including alignment with the university's future needs and the efficient use of its land, and the needs of our community neighbours."

With Tennis, Rugby and Pan and Parapan Athletics sited in a single location, operations will be more efficient and the new cluster will bolster spectator interest and sport and community legacy value. The accessibility and legacy value of this facility also will be enhanced when the Toronto-York Spadina subway extension is completed.

The original venue plan placed Rugby competition at Fletcher's Fields in Markham.  After evaluating input by Rugby Canada and a detailed venue assessment, Toronto 2015 determined the venue would serve best as a Training site.  The venue will be upgraded for the Games and long-term community use.

About the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games

The Pan American Games is one of the world's largest international multi-sport events, held every four years for athletes of the 42 member nations of the Pan American Sport Organization (PASO). The Games comprise all Summer Olympic 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 17 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 further information:

Liz Borowiec, Toronto 2015
416-453-1386
[email protected]