TORONTO November 19, 2012 – Sprinters, shot-putters and wheelchair racers will go for gold in front of thousands of fans at a brand-new athletics stadium at York University during the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, organizers announced today.
Known as the CIBC Pan Am and Parapan Am Athletics Stadium during Games time, the venue is jointly funded by the Government of Canada and York University. Located adjacent to the city-operated Toronto Track & Field Centre, the stadium will officially open in July 2014—a year before the largest Games Canada has ever hosted arrive on campus.
“In 2015, York University’s new stadium will be abuzz with excitement as spectators cheer on some of the world’s top athletes to achieve spectacular triumphs,” said Ian Troop, Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015).
“This stadium is a great way to ensure York students, the community and high-performance athletes have access to much needed recreation, training and competition facilities,” he added.
The stadium will build on the world-class athletics infrastructure already present at York University, including the Toronto Track & Field Centre, which will serve as an athlete training and warm-up facility during the Games. The City of Toronto is replacing the centre’s indoor and outdoor tracks in time for the Games, as well as those at Birchmount Stadium and Centennial Park Stadium.
Several Canadian Olympians have trained at the Toronto Track & Field Centre, including 2008 bronze medal-winning hurdler Priscilla Lopes-Schliep and sprinter Justyn Warner, a member of the men’s 4x100-metre relay team at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
“York University is pleased to be a part of the TORONTO 2015 Games,” said Dr. Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice-Chancellor, York University. “This new state-of-the-art athletics stadium will enhance the experience not only for our students and athletes, but will also create a lasting legacy for community members for years to come.”
The fully accessible stadium is designed for certification by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) as a Class 1 track suitable for hosting Olympic and other top-tier competitions.
It will have a 400-metre track and an infield that supports throwing and jumping disciplines, as well as a scoreboard, professional broadcast capabilities, athlete change rooms, equipment storage, classroom space, as well as permanent seating for 3,000 spectators with an additional 2,000 temporary seats. At Games time, seating for 12,500 spectators will be available.
Spectators in the grandstand will have an unobstructed view of the field of play, as well as the natural landscape of the campus’s protected Boyer Woodlot.
The overall project costs for the athletics stadium are anticipated to come in at $45.5 million, which includes $34.9 million to design, build and finance the project. The remainder is comprised of capital expenditures for equipment, transaction fees, project management, and other ancillary costs. The project is on budget and construction is underway.
“The Harper Government’s investment in the 2015 Pan and Parapan Am Games will ensure that our athletes train and compete in state-of-the-art facilities during the Games and beyond,” said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). “Today’s announcement will play a key role in boosting the Greater Toronto Area’s reputation as an international hotspot for sport, while also leaving behind a lasting legacy in community recreation.”
“This is a great day for York University and the Greater Toronto Area,” said Mark Adler, Member of Parliament (York Centre). “In addition to hosting a series of events during the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games, these venues will continue to serve local families in our community. We look forward to welcoming the Americas to Canada in only a few short years, as well as to the economic boost it will bring to our region, province, and country for years to come.”
“The McGuinty government’s support for the People’s Games will benefit the community in significant ways,” said Michael Chan,Ontario’s Minister responsible for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. “This new facility will provide our athletes, students and residents a place to train and compete at home and an opportunity to shine on the World Stage during the 2015 Games.”
Earlier this fall, Infrastructure Ontario awarded the contract for the athletics stadium to Ontario Sports Solutions (ONSS) through a public tendering process. The consortium consists of developers and constructors Bouygues Building Canada Inc. and Kenaidan Contracting Ltd., as well as the design team of Cannon Design, FaulknerBrowns Architects, Arup and Morrison Hershfield.
ONSS is also responsible for the Milton Pan Am and Parapan Am Velodrome, Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium and track resurfacing at three City of Toronto sport facilities.
“Toronto is gearing up to be the best Host City ever for the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games,” said Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. “York University is one of several Games venues in our city and we look forward to welcoming athletes to our great training venues throughout the City at the Toronto Track and Field Centre, Birchmount Stadium and Centennial Park."
“These Games will be an enormous opportunity for Canada, for Ontario and for the Greater Toronto Area,” said Jon Hountalas, Executive Vice-President, Business Banking, CIBC. “CIBC is proud to associate our brand with another key Games venue that will be enjoyed by York students and the whole community for years to come.”
Earlier this year, TO2015 announced the venue clusters and sport programs for both the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, as well as budget details for both Games. TO2015 will issue its first quarterly budget update on Tuesday, November 20.
About the TORONTO 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games
The Pan American and Parapan 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) and 26 member nations of the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC). The Pan American Games are comprised of all Olympic Summer Games sports, as well as traditional Pan American sports, while the Parapan American Games are comprised of the majority of Paralympic Summer Games sports. The TORONTO 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games will draw more than 10,000 athletes, coaches and team officials and feature 51 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.
About York University
York University is helping to shape the global thinkers and thinking that will define tomorrow. York’s unwavering commitment to excellence reflects a rich diversity of perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility that sets us apart. A York U degree empowers graduates to thrive in the world and achieve their life goals through a rigorous academic foundation balanced by real-world experiential education. As a globally recognized research centre, York is fully engaged in the critical discussions that lead to innovative solutions to the most pressing local and global social challenges. York’s 11 faculties and 28 research centres are thinking bigger, broader and more globally, partnering with 288 leading universities worldwide. York's community is strong − 55,000 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, and more than 250,000 alumni.
For further information, please contact:
Teddy Katz
Director, Media Relations and Chief Spokesperson, TO2015
C: 647.404.5263
teddy.katz@toronto2015.org
Joanne Rider
Director, Media Relations, York University
416 736 5593
jrider@yorku.ca
