Mississauga Will Be the Gateway for the 2015 Pan Am Games
Published February 22, 2013 at 9:03 pm
At this week’s meeting of City Council, Mayor Hazel McCallion and Members of Council authorized the Commissioner of Community Services to execute a Licence Agreement with 2015 Toronto Pan Am and Parapan Am Games (TO2015); the agreement confirms Mississauga as a host community, Hershey Centre as the venue, as well as outlines the City’s plans and responsibilities.
“As a host community, the City has a unique opportunity to showcase Hershey Centre and Mississauga Celebration Square, engage our community in an international sporting festival, feature local culture and celebrate sport through one of the largest international sporting events in the world,” said Paul Mitcham, commissioner, Community Services.
Mississauga is considered the fourth largest cluster for TO2015 events. The Hershey Centre will be the venue for the Pan Am sports of: judo, karate, taekwondo, and wrestling, and the Parapan Am sports of: goalball, powerlifting, and wheelchair rugby. “The games are considered the second largest multi-sport festival in the world behind the summer Olympics,” said Mitcham.
Based on the number of visitors, the international scope of the Games and the coordination across provincial, regional and municipal resources, a City of Mississauga Pan Am Parapan Am Steering Committee will be established. The Steering Committee will include staff and four members of Council including Chris Fonseca, Ward 3; Frank Dale, Ward 4; Bonnie Crombie, Ward 5, Pat Saito, Ward 9. “As we begin our countdown toward opening ceremonies in 2015, this Committee will engage key stakeholders, partners and community leaders in the sharing of ideas as well as planning and executing celebration events,” Mitcham said.
“The City’s involvement in the Pan American/Parapan American Games also aligns to the City’s new Sports Tourism Strategy which, if approved by Council, will focus our efforts in the pursuit of events that can help drive greater local tourism- related spending,” said Howie Dayton, director, Recreation Division. “With Mississauga being the gateway for tourists, athletes and officials, spectators and visitors, we anticipate tourism activity during the Games to be significant in terms of hotel stays, food sales and other retail activity,” he said.
The City’s agreement with T02015 provides exclusive use of the Hershey Centre and its community rinks from June 2, 2015 through August 24, 2015. It also provides the City with $260,000 to cover foregone rental revenue; compensation for all out-of-pocket labour and material to host the games; and the opportunity to generate net revenue from food and beverage sales.
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About TO2015
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 28 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, 2014. For more information about the Games, please visit toronto2015.org.