Athletes are taking their marks at one of Canada’s largest exhibition and convention centres for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.
Direct Energy Centre has been converted into CIBC Pan Am Park for the 15-day sporting event, which brings together about 7,000 athletes from across Latin America, South America, the Caribbean and North America.
The venue, which spans more than 92,900sqm, will host five competitive sports sites throughout most of its multipurpose exhibition halls and flexible outdoor space. It was one of several Toronto sites chosen as part of TO2015’s bid to host the games about six years ago.
Until 26 July, the centre is home to 16 daily sports competitions including volleyball, Rugby 7’s, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, squash, handball, beach volleyball and roller sports.
Arlene Campbell, general manager sales and events said: “Our dedicated and experienced team of exhibition and convention professionals have been working to not only deliver the very best experience for our client TO2015; but also ensuring our tradeshow and convention clients that have hosted their events and meetings with us over the first two quarters of 2015 have been provided with the very best in venue management and service delivery. We are exceptionally proud of our team.”
Complementing fierce competition is a free culture programme, PANAMANIA, which features live music and family events.
The venue has five sports sites: Toronto Coliseum, Exhibition Stadium, Exhibition Centre, Chevrolet Beach Volleyball Centre, Ontario Place West Channel.
Dianne Young, chief executive of Exhibition Place, said staff were excited to be part of the event.
“With five sporting venues on site and a very active PANAMANIA stage I anticipate a phenomenal response from both the international and local community,” Young said.
Direct Energy Centre will be renamed Enercare Centre in August.
Photo: Courtesy Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games
