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BY CHRIS TRADER clraln'rél‘yrmg.com Markham's role in the 2015 Pan Am-Para- pan Am Games will create a lasting sports legacy for current and future York Region gen- erations, Pan Am CEO Saad Rafi said. "Storybook," is how Rafi described Markham’s connection with the community and the Games themselves. As one of several official GTA host cit- ies for the world's third largest international multi-sport competition. Markham will be the venue for badminton. water polo. golf. table tennis and para table tennis next sum- mer. While golf debuts for the first time in the history of the Games at Angus Glen Golf and Country Club. the centrepiece for the indoor sports is the Atos Markham Pan Am Centre. The state-of-the-art $78.5-million, 13,650 sq. metre (147,000 sq. ft.) facility, lauded for its spectacular form and function. publicly launches Nov. 23 and you're invited to experi- ence what Rafi enthusiastically praised as an international showcase “built by the commu- nity. in the community for the community”. The 2 to 6 pm. grand opening will be a family friendly extravaganza. Markham MayorrrVFranAk Scarpitti “It'll be the biggest pool party in the history of Markham.” he said. “We want everyone to jump in and a paljt of history." Already a dual design and architectural award winner. the multipurpose centre is marvel of ingenuity. Clad in bird-friendly glass with pleasing swaths of colour. the cen- tre houses a triple gymnasium with approxi- mately 3,158 sq. metres (34,000 sq. feet) for training. competition and community use as well as a lO-lane. {SO-metre. four million litre Olympic-sized swimming pool that boasts two moveable bulkheads and a transferable floor that can be raised and lowered. Legacy of Games to live on in Pan Am building The centre's 12.5-metre-high field house ceilings meet exacting international badmin- ton. volleyball and other sport height require- ments. Rafi said. Innovations in the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) facility include variable air ducts that ensure badminton shuttlecocks are not affected while in flight. ln afldition to the athletic facilities. the centre has several all-purpose moms, meet- ing areas and a two-level fitness centre at the 2.4-hectane property at 16 Main St., Union- Responsible for the largest international sports games in Canada's history. a $1 .4 billion budget, 32 competitive venues, 20.000 vol- unteers. 250,000 visitors and 10,000 athletes. trainers and coaches from across Latin. South and North America and the Caribbean in 36 Pan Am sports and 15 Parapan Am sports. there "are a lot of moving parts," Rafi under- stated. Since 102015 was awarded the Games Markham will be the venue for badminton, water polo, golf, table tennis and para table tennis next summer. in 2009, Markham was a fmnlrunner venue choice and "an enthusiastic and supportive panner." Rafi said. ' “M's been like that since the lwginning." he said. "Kudos to Mayor Scarpitti. the council and the volunteers." Markham's marshalling of some 170 daily workers over 24 months of facility construc- tion and a strategic long-range vision has created a gift. a "spon legacy," for generations. suggested Rafi. The centre. partially named after sponsor Atos until the Games are completed. will be a key plank in Markham's mixed-use down- town core master plan. Rafi said. York Uni- versity's proposed adjacent satellite campus will be a complimentary venue. Along with Unionville's neighbouring athletics-based Bill Crothers Secondary School. the community will become “a fantastic hub for recreational through high-performance sports activities." Rafi enthused. Further. Canadian sports tourism is valued at $5.3 billion annually. Rafi said. With the quality infusion afforded by the new centre. Ontario and York Region has a'chance for "a piece of that pie," he added. "Absolutely." said Scarpitti. admitting the facility is one of his proudest achievements. “it's an achievement that belongs to every- body. a great example of how three levels of government worked together." He views the centre as a major building mm block. the “cornerstone for a vibrant. livable downtown core”. A a w The Nov. 23 open house will feature an assemblage of dignitaries from all levels of government and a blessing ceremony by First Nations Mayor Scarpitti will emcee the affair __ that includes Pan Am athletes, a procession i‘ of flags of the 41 participating countries. live : bands. sport demonstrations. interactive try- it zones. facility tours and refreshments. The first 1,000 arrivals will each receive a free Pachi souvenir. 'l‘he porcupine mas- cot funher reinforces Markham's connection to the Games that will attract an estimated 250,000 visitors and more than 300 million viewers. Scarpitti said. A group of four Buttonville Public School Grade 8 students entered the TorontoZOlS mascot creation challenge as pan of a school project. Their novel mascot. with 41 different coloured quills representing each competing nation. won. Scarpitti encourages everyone to join the celebration. “The sheer capacity of what the centre can do and what it means to future generations is amazing." he said. “There's a legacy here. that will nurture athletes from around the (ETA and will attract international competitions. Capacity has really been added to the com- munity for people of all ages and abilities." Asked if he will bring his bathing suit to the grand opening, the mayor guffawed. "The joke around the ofiice is that I should stand in the pool as the floor is raised." he said. “It’d be the first time in my political hisâ€" tory that I'd be walking on water." For details. including how you can be a torchDearer for the Games. visit markhamu or tomnto2015.org Ten-lane. SO-metre. four million litre Olympic-sized swimming pool is ready for swim- mers. York Region nsidents an invited to test the mtem at a pool party Nov. 23