TORONTO - Infrastructure Ontario today released a request for proposals (RFP) inviting three short-listed companies to submit proposals to design, build and finance the Pan American Aquatics Centre (PAAC), Field House and Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) project.

The centre is a high-performance aquatics and athletics facility that will be constructed on the University of Toronto Scarborough campus for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. Following the Games, the facility will function as a centre for high performance and university sports and will provide much-needed community recreation space. The centre will be jointly owned by the City of Toronto and the University of Toronto. 

The Aquatics Centre will feature two 10-lane, 52-metre pools and a 5.5-metre deep diving tank, and have a maximum seating capacity of approximately 6,000. 

The Field House, which will have a maximum seating capacity of approximately 2,000, will house an indoor recreational track, fitness facilities and flexible gymnasium space for training and competition. 

The Canadian Sport Institute Ontario will be housed at the complex and will serve as a national high performance centre providing sport performance services as well as coaching and training facilities. 

The Aquatics Centre project will proceed under Infrastructure Ontario's Alternative Financing and Procurement model whereby risks associated with designing, constructing and financing the facilities are transferred to the private sector. 

The three short-listed companies invited to bid are:

  • Aquatic Consortium of Toronto 2015
    Developer - PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
    Design - NORR Ltd. / Counsilman - Hunsake
    Construction - PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
    Financial Advisor - TD Securities
  • Hunt-Urbacon LP 
    Developer - Hunt Construction Group / Urbacon Buildings Group
    Design - WZMH Architects / 360 Architecture
    Construction - Hunt Construction Group / Urbacon Buildings Group
    Financial Advisor - CIT Financial
  • United Toronto
    Developer - Laing O'Rourke / Bondfield Construction
    Design - ZAS Architects / Populous / RMJM Sport
    Construction - Laing O'Rourke / Bondfield Construction
    Financial Advisor - Rocklynn Capital Inc. / KPMG LLP

A request for qualifications issued in December 2010 short-listed the three teams with the design and construction capability and experience, and the financial capacity to undertake a project of this size and complexity. 

Once submissions to the RFP are received and evaluated, the successful project team will be selected and announced in summer 2012; construction is expected to begin shortly thereafter and to be completed in 2014. A copy of the RFP is available on Infrastructure Ontario's website at www.infrastructureontario.ca. 

Infrastructure Ontario and TO2015 are working with municipalities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, universities and provincial agencies to procure and deliver the Athletes' Village and Games venues, such as the Aquatics Centre.

Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to delivering some of the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects, on time and on budget; managing one of the largest real estate portfolios in Canada and providing real estate services, such as asset management, and property and land management; and providing the public sector and not-for-profit organizations with long-term financing to renew public infrastructure. 

The Pan American Games are one of the world's largest international multi-sport events, held every four years for athletes of the 42 member nations of the Pan American Sport Organization (PASO). The Games comprise a mix of Olympic Summer Games sports, as well as traditional Pan American sports. The Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games will draw more than 10,000 athletes, coaches and officials and feature 48 sports in 17 municipalities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe area. The Toronto 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10-26 and the Parapan American Games August 7-14. 

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca or www.toronto2015.org for more information. 

Quotes: 

Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure 
“The Pan American Aquatics Centre will be a major focal point of competition during the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games and an important training and competition venue for Ontario's amateur and recreational athletes following the Games.” 

Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion and Sport 
“Today's announcement affirms the McGuinty government's commitment to supporting Ontario's amateur athletes and enhanced opportunities for access to the best training facilities. For students and athletes in Scarborough, throughout Ontario and beyond, we look forward to the positive impact that the Aquatics Centre will have on the local community.” 

Contacts: 

Tom Boreskie 
Infrastructure Ontario
(416) 212-6447

Elissa Freeman 
TO2015 
(416) 957-2005