Toronto Making Final Pan Am Games Preps

(ATR) With the 2015 Pan American Games approaching, Toronto is making its last preparations before the games open in July.

Two out of the 16 venues to be used in the games remain unfinished. Event organizers say the CIBC Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium is 99 percent complete and already in use, but will reach completion later this spring.

The CIBC Athletics Stadium venue is well under construction, needing only elevators, the outdoor tracks and the Toronto Track & Field Center to be installed once the weather permits.

In order to increase volunteer participation, the Ontario Student Assistance Program is offering an incentive to university students. Students currently receive six months of interest-free payments after graduation.

By volunteering for 12 shifts of eight to ten hours during the games, they will receive an additional six months to pay their loans without interest fees.

To prepare people on what to expect during the two weeks of the games, Toronto 2015 is providing information to residents and business owners in advance. They are hosting business information sessions, posting maps and information online here, using social media for updates to reach the public and creating a Games Trip Planner app they say will be available soon.

Merch Store Opens

The first merchandise store for the 2015 Pan Am Games is officially open.

Shoppers can look online here or visit the Toronto Eaton Centre shopping mall storefront to purchase memorabilia for the games.

The Pan Am Games will begin July 10 and will be followed shortly thereafter by the Parapan Am Games August 7.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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