Markham, ON ~ February 16, 2012 ~ Today, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti unveiled plans for the Markham Pan Am Centre, future venue of the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games, as part of the public consultation process.

“Today is an important moment in Markham’s future and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to see this plan come to fruition,” said Mayor Frank 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 consist of:

Olympic-sized swimming pool

· 10-lane, 50-metre pool

· 15-metre movable floor and two one-metre movable bulkheads

· Total seating capacity of 2,000; 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

Field house

· Triple gymnasium with warm-up hall

o about 36,000 square feet of flexible gymnasium space for training, competition and community use

· 17-metre ceiling height – meets international badminton and volleyball height requirements for clear field of play of 12.5 metres.

· Total seating capacity of 2,000; 1,000 permanent retractable 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. During community use, the building will accommodate 12 badminton courts in the main gym and three in the warm-up hall. Some of the features of this fully accessible building will include: multi-purpose rooms for dance, yoga, community meetings, arts and crafts; two-level fitness centre; 50-metre pool with movable floor at one end to allow swimming lesson for all ages, and to ensure greater depth for competition purposes; triple gymnasium; wet and dry change rooms; and lounges.

“On behalf of TO2015, we would like to thank the Town of Markham for their hard work in making this venue into a reality,” said Ian Troop, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015). “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.”

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 our 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 socialize.

“The Markham Pan Am Centre represents a visionary development that demonstrates urban renewal through sport infrastructure,” said Bruce Kidd, Olympian and former University of Toronto Dean of Kinesiology and Physical Education. “Not only will this facility serve to cultivate elite amateur athletes, but it will also help promote healthy active living in the community.”

Photo Caption: Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti (left) and TO2015 Chief Executive Officer Ian Troop unveil the design of the Markham Pan Am Centre at today’s media conference.