Rick Zamperin
5/11/2012
Hamilton will not host volleyball games during the 2015 Pan Am Games.
The announcement came this morning, as Toronto 2015 officials confirmed they are scaling down the geographic scope of the event to stay within their 1.4-billion dollar budget.
Copps Coliseum was once touted as a potential venue for the Pan Am volleyball events, instead, those games will be held in Toronto.
As CHML first reported on Wednesday, Hamilton will host all Pan Am soccer games at the new Ivor Wynne Stadium.
The organizing committee says it will have seven core venues in the Toronto area that will host two or more sports.
Toronto Pan Am Park, for example, will host more than a dozen sports, such as road cycling, triathlon, squash and rugby.
The revised plan, which still requires final approval, involves 11 municipalities and three universities hosting 36 sports.
The original 2009 bid book involved 16 municipalities hosting 36 sports at more than 40 venues.
What they said:
TO2015 Chief Executive Officer, Ian Troop - "Clustering enables us to stage Games that maximize access for people in communities throughout the region and keep costs down during a period of fiscal restraint. We’re using a combination of new construction and repurposing of existing facilities. That means affordable, accessible Games as well as an important legacy of new facilities throughout the region. This approach is really about creating a People’s Games. Events in communities where people live, work and play. Affordable ticket pricing so an average family of four can attend competitions. Sites that are open and accessible so people can mix easily with athletes. Cultural celebrations of our vitality and diversity. And a living legacy for future generations to enjoy."
Ontario Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty - "Hosting the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games will bring economic prosperity throughout the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario and ultimately our country as a whole. From construction to tourism, the local and regional economy will be supported through job creation and growth for Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs before, during and after the Games."
Minister of State for Sport, Bal Gosal - "The Government of Canada is proud to make a significant investment in the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games. Not only will our contribution provide our world-class athletes with the opportunity to compete in state-of-the-art sport facilities during the Games, it will leave behind lasting legacies for the Canadian sport system and the region for years to come."
Ontario Minister responsible for the Pan/Parapan American Games, Charles Sousa - "The McGuinty government led the bid to host the People’s Games to stimulate the economy, create jobs and build much-needed sport infrastructure for our athletes to train and compete at home. The People’s Games have also accelerated projects, such as the revitalization of Toronto's waterfront through the construction of the Athletes' Village and the Air Rail Link, which will benefit our children and grandchildren."
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Michael Chan - "The Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Games will provide new and redeveloped infrastructure across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The legacy of these Games will bring great opportunities for our talented and aspiring athletes for years to come. The venues will provide the necessary facilities to train and compete, and will increase sport participation across the region as our children and families enjoy access to much-needed recreation facilities."
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