Toronto 2015 CEO Ian Troop told The Toronto Star that reports the organizing committee for the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games is behind in its planning are “plain wrong”. He said, “without a doubt we are on track, on budget across the board, and in some cases ahead of track. As we look at where Vancouver (host city of the 2010 Winter Games) was in this process, we’re right where they were”.
According to The Star two major sponsorships will be announced later this month. A request for proposals have been issued for major builds, such as the athletics stadium.
Infrastructure Ontario announced last month it has chosen Dundee Kilmer Development Limited as the preferred developer for the athletes village, which is the largest and most expensive new build.
Troop called it a complicated project, adding that because they haven’t been making announcements it doesn’t mean progress isn’t being made.
Meanwhile sources told The Star that the Games are shaping up to be a disaster. Key players have left the organization and there is a disconnect between the organizing committee and those behind the bid.
According to The Star, one of the biggest challenges Toronto 2015 will have is selling a Pan American Games to a region that prefers winter sports and feels like they’re being sold a second rate version of the Olympics.
Troop says the organizing committee is working hard to convince sport federations to host their Olympic qualifiers at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.
Traffic during the Games appears to be the number one concern for organizers. Members of the committee are reportedly in Guadalajara this month to, among other things, learn how this congested city copes with gridlock.
It appears that many of the utilized venues, such as the aquatics centre, are located far from the downtown athlete’s village and Toronto will likely use Pan Am only lanes to move athletes and officials.
