HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-14-041 - 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay
REPORT TO:
Council
DATE OF MEETING:
September 15, 2014
SUBMITTED BY:
Rod Regier, Executive Director of Economic Development
519-741-2200, Ext. 7506
PREPARED BY:
Jeff Young, Manager, Special Events, 519-741-2200,
Ext. 7388
WARD (S) INVOLVED:
All
DATE OF REPORT:
September 9, 2015
REPORT NO.:
CAO-14-041
SUBJECT:
2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay & Celebration
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RECOMMENDATION:
That the City of Kitchener be endorsed as a host community for the 2015 Pan Am Games
Torch Relay & End of Day Celebration and further,
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute on behalf of the City an agreement with
Toronto Organizing Committee for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games
confirming the City of Kitchener as a host for the 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay &
Celebration, said agreement to be satisfactory to the City Solicitor.
BACKGROUND:
On April 23, 2014 the Mayor’s office received a letter requesting the City of Kitchener to
participate as a celebration community to host the Pan Am Games flame as part of the Toronto
2015 Torch Relay.
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The Pan Am Games Torch Relay will begin on May 30, 2015 and travel across the country
through more than 130 communities en route to the official Opening Ceremonies being held in
Toronto on July 10, 2015.
Each day the torch relay is expected to travel through 3-4 communities and will require
between 60-70 torchbearers, 20 for the Kitchener portion of the relay. A typical day will see the
torch begin in a community at 9 a.m. and conclude in the end of day celebration host
community (in this case Kitchener) at approximately 7 p.m.
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On June 11, 2014 staff met with organizers from the 2015 Toronto Organizing Committee
team along with OPP, Waterloo Regional Police Service, Region of Waterloo to be briefed on
he planned activities for the day.
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On August 28, 2014 staff again met with Waterloo Regional Police Service , Region of
Waterloo and organizers for the Toronto 2015 games. On this same date the 2015 Toronto
Organizing Committee asked for an agreement to be signed or to agree in principle of
Kitchener’s commitment to host a celebration in honour of the Toronto 2015 Torch Relay for
the Pan Am Games. By doing so the City would be included in the official announcement for
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the torch relay on October 1, 2014.
REPORT:
The City of Kitchener has been identified as an end of day celebration community for the 2015
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Pan Am Games Torch Relay on June 11, 2015. Signing the agreement obligates the City to
participate in the torch relay and to provide a community celebration on Civic Square in
downtown Kitchener.
A community planning team would work closely with staff to provide the following:
Planning, organizing and executing the end of day celebration
Provide operational support and planning for the torch relay from
Waterloo to Civic Square
Identify the torch route with city and regional staff
Coordination of local police, security, traffic and emergency support
Recruitment of any volunteers required
Police escort of torch bearers through the community
Traffic and crowd management
The end of day community celebration is expected to be 90-120 minutes in duration beginning
at approximately 7 p.m. The event could include a brief speaking component, live music, food,
displays and other activities. The expected costs for the community celebration would include
rolling road closures provided by Waterloo Regional Police Service, on site security, live
entertainment and other activities.
A $3.6MM Pan/Parapan Games Community Celebration Fund was previously announced by
Canadian Heritage in part to provide assistance to torch relay communities. Staff will be writing
an application to this fund to assist in offsetting the costs of the torch relay and end of day
celebration.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The report aligns with a number of strategic priorities from the City of Kitchener’s 2011-14
Strategic Plan including Quality of Life and a Dynamic Downtown.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The projected event costs are expected to be $7,000. Staff will be writing an application to the
Heritage Canada Community Celebration Fund to assist in offsetting the costs of the torch
relay and end of day celebration. In addition, staff will pursue potential sponsorship
opportunities to further offset the costs of the event.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
ENGAGE - If approved, staff will meet with members of the community over the next several
months to form the Community Planning Team and plan the end of day celebration and identify
potential torch bearers.
In addition, the community will be invited to register for their chance to be a torch bearer
through the 2015 Pan Am Games.
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the
council / committee meeting.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Jeff Willmer, CAO
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