The plans for the sporting venue were unveiled by the Mayor of Markham Frank Scarpitti and the Toronto 2015 chief executive Ian Troop as part of the public consultation process for the key facility.

"This is an important moment in Markham's future and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to see this plan come to fruition," said Scarpitti.

"Our participation in the Pan/Parapan Am Games will enhance Markham's reputation as a centre of excellence for business, community planning and sport.

"The development of the Markham Pan Am Centre in Markham's new downtown centre will serve as a significant anchor for continued economic investment, job creation, and expanded recreation and leisure opportunities.

"It makes me proud that Markham is the first to officially unveil the design of its proposed Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games facility."

The Markham Pan Am Centre will feature an Olympic-sized swimming pool which will host the water polo event.

The 50 metre pool will be complete with a 15m movable floor and two 1m movable bulkheads, while the total seating capacity for Toronto 2015 will be 2,000, with 1,000 permanent fixed seats and 1,000 temporary seats.

Competition-related features include touch pads, timers, clock, competitive lane ropes, areas for dry land training and instruction on pool deck.

The venue will also feature a field house which will host the badminton event.

It will be complete with a triple gymnasium with warm-up hall with 36,000 square feet of flexible gymnasium space for training, competition and community use.

It will also have a 17-metre high ceiling to meet international badminton and volleyball height requirements.

Like the swimming pool, it will have a 2,000 seating capacity for Toronto 2015 made up of 1,000 permanent fixed seats and 1,000 temporary seats.

Following the Games, Markham residents of all ages and abilities will have access to the state-of-the-art, fully accessible facility that will function as both a community centre and competition centre for aquatics, badminton, volleyball, basketball, table tennis and pickleball.

"On behalf of Toronto 2015, we would like to thank the town of Markham for their hard work in making this venue into a reality," said Toronto 2015 chief Troop.

"The Markham Pan Am Centre is a great example of how the venues for the Toronto 2015 Games can transform a community, leaving a legacy that will live on for all to enjoy long after the Games."

In legacy mode, the venue will accommodate 12 badminton courts in the main gym and three in the warm-up hall.

There will also be multi-purpose rooms for dance, yoga, community meetings, arts and crafts, a two-level fitness centre, a triple gymnasium, wet and dry change rooms and lounges.

The 50m pool will also have a movable floor at one end to allow swimming lesson for all ages, and to ensure greater depth for competition purposes.

The Markham Pan Am Centre will be a 142,000-square-foot facility that serves both community and competition purposes – a "playground to podium" place for the town's residents.

"Markham will develop and grow existing and future athletes at the same time as providing our residents with a place to meet, recreate and socialise," said Bruce Kidd, an Olympian and the former University of Toronto Dean of Kinesiology and Physical Education.

"The Markham Pan Am Centre represents a visionary development that demonstrates urban renewal through sport infrastructure.

"Not only will this facility serve to cultivate elite amateur athletes, but it will also help promote healthy active living in the community."

At Toronto 2015, Markham will also host the table tennis competition at the 2,500 capacity Markham Centennial Centre.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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