PASO VP: Ontario "Ready for Pan Ams"

(ATR) Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) first vice president Ivar Sisniega tells Around the Rings the facilities for this year's Pan Am Games are ready to be used.

There are less than two months remaining until the opening ceremonies for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Ontario. Over the last few months, much speculation has been raised about the province’s preparations for the games.

Citizens and civic leaders have questioned the public transportation plan put in place by Ontario to combat traffic during the games. Extensive stadium delays – in particular the Hamilton soccer stadium – have also brought about this question of the province’s readiness.

The final coordination commission by PASO conducted in the beginning of May set out asses and resolve these outstanding issues before the games get underway. The commission went into the visit with transportation as their greatest point of emphasis.

After serving as one of seven members on the coordination commission, PASO first vice president Ivar Sisniega says the city is ready for these games today and the commission is happy with the city’s traffic reduction efforts.

"We were pleasantly surprised by the number of measures put in place by the Toronto 2015 Organizing Committee and the local government in order to reduce potential traffic problems. They have implemented a number of measure including: 250 km. of preferential lanes for PASO family, other traffic measures and a serious involvement on the part of Toronto police to quickly resolve any problems," Sisniega tells Around the Rings.

The commission visit also questioned the organizing committee on the matter of stadium delays. Sisniega says that complications with the Hamilton soccer stadium were primarily due to a minor issue with a contractor and that the venue is now ready to be used.

LastFriday, it was announced that the stadium had finally reached its substantial completion standard and will be released to the city of Hamilton in a matter of days. Around the Rings reached out to the city to confirm a date for the transition but they were unavailable for comment.

Another stadium straddling the deadline for completion before the games was the Pan Am athletics stadium. However, last week the final piece of track was installed and the venue will be ready for the games in July.

"Toronto is ready to stage a great Pan Am Games. The Village is top level as are the facilities and sports venues," Sisniega added as his biggest take away from the coordination commission visit.

Written by Kevin Nutley

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.