TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 16, 2015) - With 7,600 athletes from 41 countries and territories set to descend on Toronto in July and August, the public will finally get a glimpse of the sporting infrastructure that Ontario's top carpenters have helped build for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Games.
The TORONTO 2015 Games have been a huge boost to the province, and the Carpenters' District Council of Ontario (CDC) helped play a major role in building 10 new sporting venues and upgrading 15 existing facilities across Southern Ontario, making it the largest sport infrastructure renewal that's ever been undertaken in Canadian history. They also constructed the 157 podiums where more than 4,000 athletes will be rewarded with their gold, silver and bronze medals during the Games.
"This will be the biggest international multi-sport Games in Canada's history and the Carpenters' Union is proud to be a Proud Supporter of the Games," says Tony Iannuzzi, CDC's Executive Secretary Treasurer.
With an overall infrastructure budget of about $672 million, some of the Pan Am/Parapan Am competition venues the Carpenters' Union were excited to take part in building the CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletics Stadium, CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatics Centre and Field House, and CIBC Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium. The Carpenters' Union was also involved in the construction of the CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletes' Village in downtown Toronto. This legacy venue will not only be home for the athletes during the Games, but after the Games it will become a mixed-used neighbourhood with affordable housing, new condominiums, a YMCA and a dormitory.
"Our talented carpenters worked hand in hand with the other skilled trades in the construction industry, and we're now ready to welcome the world and leave a lasting legacy as this infrastructure will extend well beyond the Games," says Mike Yorke, President of the Carpenters and Allied Workers, Local 27. "Many people don't know that structures such as the Athletes' Village will serve as much needed housing in the city of Toronto once the Games conclude. That is something we can all be proud of."
The Carpenters' District Council of Ontario is comprised of 16 affiliated Local Unions of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners across the province. In total, it represents over 20,000 women and men working in a wide range of areas including carpentry, drywall, resilient flooring, concrete formwork, underwater construction, welding, and scaffolding.
"Planning, organizing and staging the Games is a true team effort, and we're grateful that the Carpenters' District Council of Ontario has joined our partner family as a Proud Supporter. Our partners are generously providing their products, services, expertise and enthusiasm to make these the best Pan Am/Parapan Am Games ever," said Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer, TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015). "It's truly inspiring to see so many people getting behind the Games and helping our region get ready to welcome the Americas for a summer to remember."
One of the venues winning accolades already is the Cisco Milton Velodrome. About 50 carpenters worked on the oval-shaped, three-storey fully accessible velodrome, which will stage the track cycling events at the Games this summer. The 250-metre timber track, with two 42-degree banks, is being hailed as a new beginning for Canadian cycling. It's the only facility of its kind in Canada and only the second that meets top international standards in the USA and Canada. Much like the other venues being built for the Games, without the skilled tradespeople working tirelessly behind the scenes, none of it would have come to fruition.
The Carpenters' Union was also instrumental in building the CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatics Centre and Field House. It features two 10-lane 50-metre pools and a 5-metre deep diving tank, and has a maximum seating capacity of approximately 6,000 people. It will host eight sports during the Games: swimming, including Parapan Am, diving, synchronized swimming, fencing, roller sports - speed skating, sitting volleyball and portions of the modern penthalon.
"This is about leaving a legacy that will benefit the citizens of Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe area, as well as Canadians and our athletes across the country for generations to come," Iannuzzi says. "Not to mention the overall economic impact which will be huge. It's about Building Ontario Up!"
About Carpenters' District Council of Ontario
The Carpenters' District Council of Ontario ("CDC") is composed of 16 affiliated Local Unions of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners across the province. In total, we represent over 20,000 women and men working in a wide range of skilled areas including carpentry, drywall, resilient flooring, concrete formwork, underwater construction, welding, scaffolding, and a long list of other construction-related work. Indeed, because of our up-to-date apprenticeship and training programs, there are very few construction-related jobs outside the scope of the Carpenters' Union. In addition, our union represents many industrial workers and thousands of highly-skilled workers in Ontario's health care sector.
Contact Information:
Nikki Holland
416-305-2073
nholland@thecarperntersunion.ca