Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games preparing for a busy summer

Board of Directors update on Games progress and next steps

TORONTO, May 27 /CNW/ - The Toronto 2015 Board of Directors, led by Roger Garland, Chair, conducted a media conference call earlier today sharing organizational and operational updates of the Toronto 2015 Organizing Committee and its Board.

"We have made good progress, we're on track and we are also approaching some key milestones in preparing for the Games," said Roger Garland, Chair, Toronto 2015. "The recent PASO General Assembly in Mexico allowed us to connect with other games hosts and draw from their experiences - we are very conscious about assessing those experiences against our own situation."

Toronto 2015 provided the following updates:

    
    -  Walter Sieber was named to the Toronto 2015 board by the Canadian
       Olympic Committee (COC), as its representative in place of Chris
       Rudge, former CEO. Sieber was the director general of sports for the
       Montreal Olympic Games in 1976, an advisor to both the Moscow and
       Seoul Olympic Games and served on the Board of VANOC.

    -  Toronto 2015 board member David Braley has been appointed to the
       Canadian Senate by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The federal
       government will name its replacement to the Toronto 2015 board to take
       effect once Braley takes his senate seat.

    -  Toronto 2015 is nearing the completion of its search for senior
       leaders to fill core management jobs as part of the plan to place 25
       full-time staff by this fall.

    -  Three brand development agencies will present proposals to a selection
       panel next month. The panel will make a decision on the winning
       proposal quickly, then work will begin immediately to develop the
       brand plan, design and several tactics by the end of August.

    -  Venue verification will confirm each venue's capital budget, Games
       capacity and suitability for legacy programs and will be completed in
       August. The task is well underway, with the first step of evaluation
       visits to 48 sites completed two weeks ago and meetings with venue
       owners and national sport organizations set to begin. Verification
       will set the groundwork to issue Requests for Qualifications in the
       fall, ultimately leading to Requests for Proposals related to
       designing, upgrading and ultimately, building.

    -  Toronto 2015 considers the naming of a facilitator in the Hamilton
       stadium debate a positive step towards resolution. By July 8, Toronto
       2015 expects decisions on site location and on facility requirements.
    

"Toronto 2015's games plans are on schedule and we are looking forward to a busy summer ahead," said Troop. "We're building an experienced team, shaping our brand and confirming venues, all critical steps in delivering an event that will be on time, on scope and on budget."

Chair Roger Garland and CEO Ian Troop, provide regular progress updates and meeting highlights for members of the media following each Toronto 2015 Board of Directors meeting. An audio recording of the media conference call will be available by 4 p.m. EST on Thursday, May 27 at 416-764-8691 or 1-877-674-6060, code 2380. A transcript will be posted on www.toronto2015.org by 4 p.m. EST on Friday, May 28.

About the 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, [phone]