Report to: General Committee Report Date: Aug 26, 2008

SUBJECT: CSIO Project Development

PREPARED BY: Colin Service, Manager, Planning & Policy Development

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “CSIO Project Development” be received;

And that the CAO and Commissioner of Community & Fire Services be authorized to engage use of external consultants to assist with a business case submission to Infrastructure Ontario and Infrastructure Canada for funding, and to ensure that development of the Canadian Sports Institute Ontario compliments a Pan Am Games Bid but is not reliant upon a Pan Am Games Bid;

And that the CAO and Commissioner of Community & Fire Services be authorized to spend up to $50,000 for consultant and any necessary market studies needed in preparation of business case submission;

And that Allan Seabrooke be considered a preferred supplier in conducting work as a primary consultant in the development of the submissions to Infrastructure Ontario and Infrastructure Canada;

And that the CAO and Commissioner of Community & Fire Services be authorized to spend up to $15,000 as the Town’s share of the cost for architectural services for preliminary site layout and facility fit plans for the CSIO in the context of the Markham Centre Secondary Plan/East Precinct Plan;

And that the CAO and Commissioner of Community & Fire Services be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to inform Council of the current status of the development of the Canadian Sports Institute Ontario and the 2015 Pan AM Games Bid. Additionally, the report is to seek authorization to engage consultants to move forward with business case submission and architectural design services/facility fit to seek funding for development of CSIO.

BACKGROUND:

On June 18, 2007 a report entitled “Canadian Sports Institute” was presented to Council. Council agreed via this report to support the development of the Canadian Sports Institute Ontario with a cash contribution of $55.5 million, in kind contributions with a value of $13 million which included land valued at $7 million and Municipal Property tax avoidance of $6 million – thus Council agreed to a $68.5 million investment in the development of the Canadian Sports Institute.

Recently the Town of Markham has become involved in a bid by the Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe to host the 2015 Pan Am Games. The proposed CSIO could potentially be a venue for elements of these Games. However, the CSIO project was approved in principle regardless of a successful bid for the Pan Am Games. There have been recent announcements surrounding the Pan Am Games that have generated considerable enthusiasm.

On August 7, 2008 an announcement was made by Pan Am Games Secretariat that the federal government is fully supporting a bid to host the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe. In October, 2008 an initial presentation is being made to the Pan Am Games Selection Committee by the Pan Am Game Secretariat, which, it is anticipated, will be a high level presentation and profile of the Toronto and Greater Golden Horseshoe area, including Markham. It is highly unlikely to have details on venue locations. Further briefings by the Pan Am Games Secretariat for Mayors and CAO’s are expected in September to clarify processes for venue selection, with the launch of the Bid Committee shortly there after. The following are key dates for the 2015 Pan Am Games Bidding Process:

1) Presentation to Selection Committee – Oct, 2008

2) Bid Book Submission – April, 2009

3) Delegation Visits – April to Sept, 2009

4) Decision – October, 2009 (Potentially, this announcement could occur as early as April 2009 depending upon Olympic Announcements)

Staff have continued to work with Canadian Sports Centre Staff to determine next steps. While the recent developments in the 2015 Pan Am Games Bid are exciting, both organizations feel it is important to ensure that the development of the CSIO can compliment the Pan Am Games Bid but should not be reliant upon the bid.

Additionally, the development of CSIO will have ties to the Markham Centre Development Plans. There will be issues involving land availability and use, CSIO preliminary site layout and facility fit, integration with adjacent uses, transportation, parking and transit issues. The Development Services Commission will be closely involved in moving forward to ensure issues and priorities are aligned throughout the process. The immediate need is to ensure there is land area and facility space available to accommodate the CSIO in the East Precinct of Markham Centre. It is proposed to hire Bregman + Hamann Architects, which firm participated in the design concept and visioning exercise in 2007, to continue to advance the site layout and facility fit exercise in consultation with the Canadian Sports Centre, the Town, GO Transit (on parking integration), and other stakeholders. The work of Bregman + Hamann will provide input to Development Services staff on other land use and transportation studies currently underway for the East Precinct.

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

It is recommended that external consultants, as appropriate, be engaged to assist with the development of a comprehensive business case for submission to Infrastructure Ontario and Infrastructure Canada for funding to build the CSIO and to assist with the submission to the Bid Committee. It is important that the Town of Markham work with CSC and consultants to conduct the necessary research and market studies to ensure that the best possible submissions are put forward. It is recommended that Allan Seabrooke be considered as the primary consultant to facilitate this process given his vast experience in the project - the process will include the development of a full and comprehensive business case to be presented to Infrastructure Canada and Infrastructure Ontario. (Please refer to Appendix 1, the Business Case presented by the Calgary Olympic Development Association as an example of what will be required in the development of the Business Case).

With respect to preliminary site layout and facility fit, a proposal has been obtained from Bregman + Hamann Architects to:

- Provide drawings illustrating block plans and block massing/site layout of the CSIO to meet current facility requirements of the Canadian Sports Centre and the Town

- Participate in coordinating site plan issues with adjacent land uses and infrastructure (including proposed GO Transit parking expansion, VIVA transit service, YMCA, and adjacent development proposals on private lands – including convention/hotel, retail, and residential uses), and contribute to the development of revised plans for the area.

The Bregman + Hamann proposal is for fees not to exceed $40,000.00 for the above scope of services. The CSIO Steering Committee is in discussion with the Canadian Sports Centre, GO Transit, and adjacent landowners to share in the costs of the preliminary design and coordination services by Bregman + Hamann. It is estimated that the Town’s share of these costs will not exceed $15,000.00.

Development Services Commission staff will also be reporting to Development Services Committee on September 9, 2008 with an update on the current review by staff of the Markham Centre Secondary Plan, East Precinct Plan and Markham Centre Transportation Study update. The work of Bregman + Hamann on the CSIO massing/site layout will provide timely input into the broader area studies currently underway. Bregman + Hamann will be invited to participate in upcoming roundtable discussions with Town staff, public agencies, consultants, and other stakeholders in October 2008 to bring forward updates to the Markham Centre Secondary Plan and East Precinct Plan for consideration by Council.

FINANCIAL TEMPLATE:

It is recommended that a budget of up to $65 ,000 be allocated to engage this external consultant. A balance of approximately $80,000 is currently unallocated in the 2006 CSIO Feasibility Study capital account, 044-69007349005.

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

Growth Management – The development of CSIO will ensure that an elite athletic facility and competition venue exists to meet the growing and emerging needs of the entire community. Advancing the site layout and facility fit of the CSIO is also timely in the context of current planning initiatives in the Markham Centre area.

Parks, Recreation, Culture & Library Master Plan/Public Safety – the development of CSIO will be integral part of the Master Plan.

DEPARTMENTS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Departments that will be involved with the development of CSIO will include Finance, Corporate Communications, Recreation, Development Services. The Development Services Commission has inputted the sections of this report dealing with the Bregman + Hamann proposal and coordinating with current planning initiatives in Markham Centre.

RECOMMENDED

BY: ________________________ ________________________

John Livey Brenda Librecz

CAO Commissioner, Community & Fire Services

Q:Recreation/REPORTS/Report, CSIO consultant and update