2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games
2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games
What are the Pan American Games?
The Pan American Games are a multi-sport event, held every four years between competitors from all nations of the Americas. Over 40 countries participate in 26 sports on the Olympic sport program and 10 additional sports subject to approval by the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO). The Parapan American Games have participants competing in 11 sports.
Toronto 2015
The 17th Pan American Games are to take place July 10 to July 26, 2015, followed by the Parapan American Games from August 7 to August 14, 2015, in Toronto and its surrounding municipalities.
Burlington’s involvement
In February, 2009 Burlington was chosen by Bidco, the provincial organization that managed the bid phase, to be part of Toronto’s bid as a host city for preliminary competition men’s and women’s soccer and Parapan soccer at Sherwood Forest Park in Burlington.
Burlington’s Venue
Through the development of the City of Burlington Parks, Recreation and Cultural Assets Master Plan in 2009 and its related Sherwood Forest Park Study, the City determined that Sherwood Forest Park would not be the site of Pan Am Games soccer. In December of 2009 Council directed that City Park be the preferred site to host the Burlington’s portion of the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games soccer and directed staff to consult with the Niagara Escarpment Commission and the public on the potential use of City Park as the site for the Pan/Parapan American Games.
Proposed Venue - New City Park
At meetings in early 2010, City staff presented to the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) members. The purpose of the meetings was to articulate the facility requirements of the City in hosting select soccer events at City Park, including the Pan American Games event, and confirm that hosting events could be achieved in a manner consistent with the New City Park Management Plan approved by the Commission in September 2009. The City and NEC staff prepared an addendum to the City Park Management Plan for consideration by the Niagara Escarpment Commission that included reference to the scope of the facilities required to host the Games.
At its meeting on June 17, 2010, the NEC approved the City’s revised proposal to host the Pan/Parapan American Games at New City Park including use of 3 soccer fields, a 1,500 permanent seating structure and an additional 3,500 temporary seats to be set up on site to accommodate soccer fans in 2015.
Toronto 2015
Having successfully secured the games for Toronto, BidCo wound down its operations in December of 2009 and Toronto 2015, the organization responsible for moving forward with the Toronto Games, was established.
Next Steps
The City of Burlington will meet with Toronto 2015 to discuss Burlington’s involvement in the Games and verify New City Park as Burlington’s venue.
For further information on the city’s involvement, please contact Scott Stewart, General Manager, Community Services at ext. 7839. For further information on the 2015 Pan Am Games bid, please visit www.Toronto2015.org.