For Immediate Release - November 6, 2009
BURLINGTON, ON –Burlington is thrilled that the 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games will be hosted by a group of Greater Golden Horseshoe area cities including Burlington.
“This is exciting news and a once in a lifetime opportunity for our community to participate in the largest international sporting event in Ontario’s history since the Commonwealth Games were first held in Hamilton in 1930,” says Mayor Cam Jackson. “Although Toronto has been identified as the successful host city, this will be one of the first ever regional Games, a partnership involving many communities.”
The Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) announced the good news at their General Assembly meeting in Guadalajara, Mexico today.
The Pan Am Games are a major international multi-sport event, held every four years for athletes of the 42 PASO member nations. The Games consist of all Summer Olympic sports, plus other non-Olympic events, and serve as an Olympic-qualifier for a number of participating sports.
The Games will bring federal, provincial, municipal and private funding into sports infrastructure for broad community benefits and long-term athletic development in Ontario for years to come. It will mean more jobs in construction and long-term benefits to tourism and the local economy.
In February 2009, the Province of Ontario’s not-for-profit bid corporation BIDCO awarded the city of Burlington the opportunity to host the preliminary rounds of men’s and women’s soccer. Currently, city staff are reviewing both New City Park (on Dundas and Kerns Road) and Sherwood Park (in east Burlington) as possible locations for this event. The city’s current development of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Assets Master Plan includes the recommendation for our city to build a second stadium for up to 1,500 spectators for a whole range of outdoor field sports including soccer.
“This is great news for Burlington amateur sport and city council is to be commended for their strong support of Burlington’s participation,” says Lloyd Keller, president of Burlington Youth Soccer Club (BYSC). Burlington is considered the epicenter of Canadian youth soccer as BYSC annually supports 6,500 summer and 2,500 winter indoor youth soccer players, the largest per capita youth program anywhere in North America.
“The Pan Am and Parapan Games will inspire our youth, transform local amateur sport and create a legacy of world class athletic excellence,” adds Mayor Jackson.
For further information on the city’s involvement, please contact Steve Zorbas, Acting Director of Parks and Recreation at ext. 7729. For further information on the 2015 Pan Am Games bid please visit www.Toronto2015.org.
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