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Toronto 2015 Pan American Games

Is York University the best option for a track stadium now?

I wish there was more room to fully expand Varsity Stadium downtown.
 
Is York University the best option for a track stadium now?

I wish there was more room to fully expand Varsity Stadium downtown.

York is a pretty good location on, at least, 3 counts:

1. Access...by that time it will have a subway station so public transit access is good. It is near major roads and, during the summer, has lots of parking.....so road access is also good.

2. complimentary facilitities.....having the metro track and field facility right there it is a good warm up/training compliment.

3. legacy, whatever permanent part of the facility is left behind will add to the sports facilities at York.....

Pretty good choice moving track to YOrk (IMO)
 
Ian Troop was at Varsity Stadium yesterday. Word is they'll include temporary stands for the Games, wouldn't cost much.
 
Rendering of the Aquatic Center.
 

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York is a pretty good location on, at least, 3 counts:

1. Access...by that time it will have a subway station so public transit access is good. It is near major roads and, during the summer, has lots of parking.....so road access is also good.

I have a question re: the subways. It's assumed the GO Trains carrying athletes will be express, but how would that work for the subway? Are they going to be Express from Union to, say, York? Or will they have to ride with the normies? As far as I know, TO doesn't have express tracks?
 
I have a question re: the subways. It's assumed the GO Trains carrying athletes will be express, but how would that work for the subway? Are they going to be Express from Union to, say, York? Or will they have to ride with the normies? As far as I know, TO doesn't have express tracks?

Athletes will not be riding subways....sorry if my post gave that impression. Athletes will be shuttled in buses/vans (likely with lane closures to create an express route feel for them) fans will ride subways.
 
YorkU signed letter of intent for Track & Field Stadium

Anyone know roughly what the feds and province wouldl put up, and how much YorkU is on the hook for?


Announced this morning to YorkU staff and students http://www.yorku.ca/yfile/archive/index.asp?Article=15320

York signs letter of intent regarding 2015 Pan Am Games
York University, already a venue for tennis at the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games, is in discussions with organizers regarding the construction of a stadium on its Keele campus that would host track & field events during the Games.

The University has signed a letter of intent with the Pan/Parapan American Games organizing committee to negotiate an agreement for the construction of a facility that would meet International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) standards, and, following the Games, would be available for use by the University and surrounding communities. The letter of intent also indicates that the Pan Am Games organizing committee and the University may discuss hosting additional events on York’s Keele campus.

“We are thrilled about this development, as it is a tremendous opportunity for York University, as well as the broader community,” said Mamdouh Shoukri, York University president & vice-chancellor. “In pursuing these discussions, the University will be guided by a clear set of principles, including alignment with the University’s future needs and the efficient use of its land, and the needs of our community neighbours.”

Jennifer Myers, director of Sport & Recreation, believes this is significant for both York and the Greater Toronto Area.

“Sports programming and facilities really have the power to transform the student experience,” she said. “The possibility of a track and field facility at York’s Keele campus also represents a major opportunity to build a greater connection to communities with whom we already partner. There are endless possibilities here.”

Bill Hatanaka, chairman & CEO of TD Waterhouse, a York alumnus and former student athlete, noted that a new stadium would be a significant and positive addition to the university’s sport offerings.

“Such a facility would be a tremendous boost to student athletes at York. It would help York to develop its athletic and recreational programming, while providing a world-class facility for York’s athletes,” he said.

With the TTC's Spadina-York U subway extension projected for completion in 2015, the University will become an important hub for the region, with an on-campus subway station that would provide access to these new and enhanced facilities.

Bud Purves, president of the York University Development Corporation, has championed the Keele campus as ideally positioned to support the elements of such a world-class facility.

“The chance for York to make a site available for this project is entirely consistent with existing master plan concepts for the Keele campus. It could fit very nicely with the new TTC subway access, a necessary complement to this venture,” said Purves. “With tennis events already confirmed to take place at the Rexall Centre, it simply makes sense, from the standpoint of efficiency, to look at hosting other events here,” he said.

Guy Burry, chair of the York University Alumni Association, commented that hosting these games would boost the student experience at York while calling to attention the other amazing things happening at the University.

“Our being a venue for the games would put York in the spotlight. It would raise our profile and our ability to attract the best of the best in every arena. It has the potential to improve the experience of York for the entire community,” he said.

Shoukri added, “I am confident that our community and its many partners will embrace this remarkable new phase in York’s development with the open-mindedness and enthusiasm I have witnessed so often at this University. With the support of our community and our partners, the future is truly exciting.”

AmJ - Who wishes that the President found allocating money to York's "core business" of undergraduate teaching similarly "exciting".
 
Ah, great news. I assume this was the facility that was going to originally be in Hamilton.

I guess this will provide more pressure to get the Spadina subway extension finished early - at least as far as Steeles West; the opening is currently scheduled for late 2015, just after the games.

Now let's see how the Toronto Argonauts try and screw this up ...
 
They have nothing to do with it.
They have nothing to do with BMO Field either, but they tried to screw that up in September 2007, March 2008, and December 2009.

I bet that before ground is broken on this stadium at York, that they will stick their nose in it - whether anything comes of it or not.
 
The Argos had everything to do with BMO because they were originally partnered with the CSA before the CSA decided to pull out and hop into bed with MLSE.

All's well that ends well since the then Argo owners have been revealed to be more hype than substance, and MLSE got another team where their expertise allows them to be managed into, as they say across the pond, mid-table mediocrity.
 
The Argos had everything to do with BMO because they were originally partnered with the CSA before the CSA decided to pull out and hop into bed with MLSE.

All's well that ends well since the then Argo owners have been revealed to be more hype than substance, and MLSE got another team where their expertise allows them to be managed into, as they say across the pond, mid-table mediocrity.
Well if you go that far back they are also related to the York track and field bid, because essentially that's the stadium CSA was in bed with MLSE ... which was also going to be built at York at this location. It only got moved to Exhibition Place after Argos dropped out (sound familiar?). And all did end very well there ... it's worked very well without the Argos. The incididents to which I refer were the Argos meddling AFTER they droped out in 2005/2006.

I'm just saying I'm betting they will stick their noses in ...
 

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