The 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, which are set to begin this Friday in Toronto, are the world’s third largest international multi-sport event and the largest ever held in Canada. With Toronto serving as a host city for this event, municipalities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area had an opportunity to significantly impact the community - by bringing world-class, international athletic games to their doorsteps and by providing first-rate infrastructure to not only service the games, but also for the local community to use for years to come. Amec Foster Wheeler played an important role in contributing to this legacy through our design work on the Velodrome in Milton, Ontario.
The Velodrome project is a great example of what can be achieved in a very short time frame with attention to detail, hands-on project management, and effective communications with stakeholders and authorities. For example, we obtained approvals for the new site through the Environmental Assessment process, completed the design, and obtained consent in less than nine months for over 700 metres of roadway, sanitary sewer, potable water service, and a 2,100 m3 stormwater management facility. And because of strong coordination among the Town of Milton, Halton Region, the Pan Am organising committee, the building architect and site designer, the conservation authority, and two contractors, the design was approved after only a single revision submission to the relevant authorities.
More than just a venue for the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, the Velodrome will inspire and nurture the next generation of Canadian athletes, serve as a central hub for the local and national cycling community, and provide Milton and the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area with a centre to enjoy for years to come. Amec Foster Wheeler is proud to have played a role in this project that will create a lasting impact and shape the community.