Ian Troop, the chief executive of Toronto 2015, revealed in January that his Organising Committee will be using the cluster system, which sees sports come together in one location rather than being spread out, as was previously stated in the Bid Book.

The largest cluster will be the Toronto Pan Am Park at Exhibition Place, which will host more than a dozen sports including road cycling, triathlon, squash and rugby sevens.

The University of Toronto (Scarborough) Pan Am Complex, is the other major cluster for the event.

It will stage aquatic sports such as swimming and diving as well as field sports including modern pentathlon.

It will also become the new home of the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario, which will support athletes and sport organisations throughout Ontario and Canada.

The Mississauga Pan Am Complex will serve as the Games' centre for combative sports while the Markham Pan Am Complex will host numerous events including water polo, badminton and table tennis.

The Etobicoke Pan Am Complex cluster will host archery, BMX cycling and bowling while the University of Toronto (Downtown) Pan Am Complex will stage field hockey, roller sports and handball.

In addition, York University Pan Am Complex will host athletics and tennis.

"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," explained Troop.



"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.

"These are challenging economic times.

"Like every institution – like every family – we need to live within our means.

"Our budget accomplishes that."

In addition to the clusters, soccer will be in Hamilton, basketball in Toronto, equestrian in Caledon and Orangeville, canoe/kayak in Welland and Minden Hills, mountain cycling in Oro-Medonte, rowing St Catharines, boxing in Oshawa and sailing at Toronto Island.

Negotiations are ongoing with the town of Milton for the construction of a velodrome for track cycling, with an infield for community sports.

The Organising Committee is currently reviewing proposals for an eighth cluster to host baseball and softball competitions.

Over the summer, Golf Canada will be seeking proposals from golf course operators in the region to host golf during the Games while they are in discussions for a site to host shooting sports.



Construction is already underway on the CIBC Pan and Parapan Am Games Athletes' Village (simulation pictured above) in Toronto's West Don Lands, which after the event will become a mixed-income community.

The announcement involves 11 municipalities and three universities hosting 36 sports, compared with the original Toronto 2015 Bid Book that involved 16 municipalities hosting the 36 sports at over 40 venues.

The event is also being supported by some major construction projects, such as the Union Pearson Air Rail Link that will be in service for the Games.

The revitalisation of Union Station is underway with substantial completion planned in 2015.

"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," said Canada's Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty.

"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."

It was also announced that, pending approval in July from the Pan America Sports Organization (PASO), the Toronto 2015 Games will host an additional eight Pan Am-only sports, as well as the 28 Olympic Summer Games sports, for a total of 36 sports.

Further details will be announced once the move is ratified by PASO.

"The Government of Canada is proud to make a significant investment in the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games," added Canada's Sports Minister Bal Gosal.

"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."

The Toronto 2015 Pan American Games will take place from July 10 until 26 and the Parapan American Games from August 7 until 14.

It will draw 10,000 athletes and officials and feature more than 40 Pan and Parapan sports in municipalities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe area.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]

Credit for images: CNW Group/Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games.


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