Pan Am Games - The Good, The Bad and The not so Ugly

For years now, the idea of the Pan Am Games has lingered all around us. Long after Toronto won the bid to host them in November 2009, the Games are now as real as they can get. This is especially true for all the residents at The Distillery, as we will endure and enjoy, all at once, the positives and negatives of being so closely related to them.

The Good
Culture and Arts: As the Games unfold, so will an array of free cultural and art related activities at The Distillery with ¨Panamania¨. This America´s themed series of on-site open air activities and ticketed shows will run live at The Distillery from July 11th - July 26th.

Local Infrastructure: In the aftermath of the summer games, our neighbourhood will inherit one of the largest YMCA´s in North America (+80,000 sq. ft), as well as, a flood protection landform in the shape of an 18 acre park, namely the Corktown Common.

We will also benefit from the accelerated construction of our closest instant neighbourhood, the Canary District in the West Don Lands. A Waterfront Toronto's master planned and LEED certified project built in time to host the Pan Am athlete's village.

Further into 2016, a new streetcar line running down the reconstructed Cherry St, will provide us with additional access to public transportation.

The Bad

Road Closures:

• Cherry St – from Eastern Ave to Lakeshore Blvd.
• Front St - from Trinity St to Bayview Ave. 

Diverted Traffic:

• Mill St - Westbound only - Trinity St to Parliament St.
• Trinity St – Southbound only -  Front St to Mill St

HOV lanes:

Will now require 3, instead of 2 occupants (5 am to 11 pm) from June 29th – July 27th. These will run on Lakeshore Blvd, the Gardiner Expressway and the DVP, amongst others.

No Left Turns ( June 29th – August 18th):

• Lower Jarvis onto Lakeshore Blvd.
• Lakeshore Blvd onto Parliament St or onto Sherbourne St.

Diverted Public Transit Routes: 

• 172 Cherry St bus will continue to run every 10 minutes on Parliament St.

The Not so Ugly

This summer will test our limits as urban dwellers in our city and at our very own Distillery District. With an estimated 250,000 visitors attending the Games, expected public transportation running at full capacity (if not beyond), widespread traffic reconfigurations and road closures, as well as, an increasing number of events and activities surrounding the development of the Games, will prove that getting around the city and into our neighbourhood will now be more than just mind games.

As overwhelming as all this may seem, the Pan Am games are a unique event. We can always follow the competitions and attend the different activities that will take place across our city, making the best out of them.

Before you consider tossing you car keys away for the Summer or giving up on public transit entirely, look into the additional resources and updates we've compiled for you at: 
www.livingatthedistillery.com/panam 

Jose Castillo & Claudia Pardo
Sales Representatives
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.

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