City on target to host FIFA Men’s U-20 World Cup in 2007
July 4, 2006
Toronto, Ontario -- Today the governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto officially announced the signing of a contribution agreement for the construction of a new 20,000-seat soccer stadium at Exhibition Place. The stadium will help to stage the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Men’s Under-20 World Cup – Canada 2007, expected to be the largest single-sport event ever held in Canada.
The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Greater Toronto Area, the Honourable Michael Chong, President of the Privy Council, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister for Sport, Ontario Health Promotion Minister, Jim Watson, Ontario Public Infrastructure Renewal Minister David Caplan, together with Toronto Mayor David Miller and Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, Chair of the Board of Governors for Exhibition Place confirmed a joint funding package of up to $62.8million. Minister Chong attended the event on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. Parliamentary Assistant Peter Fonseca attended the event on behalf of Ontario Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson.
The Government of Canada is committing up to $27 million, the Government of Ontario is committing up to $8 million and the City of Toronto is committing $9.8 million. The City has also reached an agreement with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. (MLSEL), which will be committing $18million ($8 million for the management rights and $10 million to secure the naming rights for the stadium). The stadium will be owned by the City of Toronto and be managed by MLSEL.
“This new stadium will make a positive contribution to the economy here in Toronto and the GTA”, said Minister Flaherty. “It is a nice complement to a tax credit of up to $500 in eligible fees for sport and physical activity programs. Introduced in Budget 2006, this credit can be claimed for each child under the age of 16.”
“This new facility will not only enable Toronto to host world-class events, such as the FIFA Men’s Under-20 World Cup in 2007, it will also provide local community groups and soccer leagues with a new venue for recreation,” said Minister Chong.
“The new stadium will provide Ontarians with year-round access to a world-class facility and further opportunities for athlete development,” said Minister Watson. “It will also help promote increased physical activity and sports participation, especially among youth and create a legacy of public investment for healthy, active lives.”
“Ontario’s really getting into the game with this new soccer stadium,” said Minister Caplan. “Right now, World Cup is drawing the attention of young soccer players around the globe. That’s why the McGuinty government is on the side of these young athletes who will be playing for their own cup in this new modern sports facility next year.”
“The City of Toronto is focused on making Toronto’s waterfront more vibrant and welcoming by building on and enhancing our public spaces for the enjoyment of all Torontonians,” said Mayor David Miller. “I’m pleased that the addition of the National Soccer Stadium to the Exhibition Place grounds is another step in realizing our vision.”
“Exhibition Place is one of the most celebrated landmarks in Toronto, welcoming millions of visitors each year to participate in renowned events and celebrations,” said Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone. “The National Soccer Stadium will be another opportunity for us to host Toronto residents and visitors for spectacular events and experiences.”
The facility will be a regular home for the Toronto FC, a new Major League soccer team as well as a gathering point for thousands of players in the Greater Toronto Area, and will have an air-filled bubble roof erected over the playing surface during the winter months, guaranteeing community use throughout the year.
The Government of Canada’s contribution comes from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, which supports large-scale projects of major national and regional significance, in areas that are vital to sustaining economic growth and supporting an enhanced quality of life for Canadians.
The Government of Canada’s 2006 Federal Budget committed an unprecedented $16.5 billion over the next four years for infrastructure investments, including an additional $2 billion for the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.
Under ReNew Ontario, the province, together with its partners, is investing more than $30 billion over five years to revitalize, modernize and expand public infrastructure. The Government has made significant progress in the first year of the plan with major investments in Ontario’s healthcare facilities, schools, colleges and universities, transportation and public transit, and other priority infrastructure projects. Since the release of ReNew Ontario, in the 2006 Budget, the provincial government announced a new, $1.2 billion investment in Move Ontario, which will support public transit and provide funding for municipal roads and bridges.
Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Cannon
(613) 991-0700
Adam Grachnik
Office of Minister Watson
(416) 326-8497
Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Minister for Sport
(613) 943-1833
Wilson Lee
Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal
Office of Minister Caplan
(416) 325-8735
Infrastructure Canada
Communications and Promotion
(613) 948-1148
www.infrastructure.gc.ca
Don Wanagas
Director of Communications
Office of Mayor Miller
(416) 338-7134
