Construction work has started on a village in Toronto’s West Don Lands area that will be used to house athletes for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games.
The project is expected to create and support 5,200 jobs, including employment of approximately 700 workers on the construction site.
The value of the project is $514 million. Dundee Kilmer Developments was awarded the contract for the work.
The community has been designed by a team of internationally renowned architects and will be constructed by EllisDon.
The village will provide a home away from home for more than 10,000 athletes and officials during the Games. It will include 787 units that will be converted to permanent residences and 253 units that will be converted to affordable rental housing following the Games.
The village will also feature administrative and ancillary facilities, an 82,000-square-foot YMCA, and a residence that will provide housing for up to 500 students following the Games.
The project will be completed within three years.
Charles Sousa, the provincial minister responsible for the Games, said he’s excited to see the shovel go in the ground for the village.
“The athletes’ village will provide an exceptional experience for athletes and bring long-lasting economic and social benefits to the community.”
The Pan/Parapan American Games are one of the world’s largest international multi-sport events, held every four years for athletes of the 41-member nations of the Pan American Sports Organization.