It’s almost the 2015 Pan Am / Para Pan Am Games! Greenhorizons is eagerly waiting along with the rest of the community for this prestigious sporting event. We have had the opportunity to put our mark on it! We’ve worked on three venues; the President’s Choice Ajax Ballpark, the CIBC Athletics Stadium at York University in Toronto, and the Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham.
Making History
The 2015 Pan Am / Para Pan Am Games will be making history in many ways. Women’s baseball is being included in the Pan Am Games which will be a first in a multi-sport games. In addition, golf is returning to the Olympic Games after more than 100 years! This will take place one year after the Games’ inaugural golf tournament in July 2015.
Using an Engineered Sand Profile
When hosting the third-largest international multi-sport games, the facilities must be ready for use. Mother Nature may try to ruin it, but we will be ready! Because of this, an engineered sand profile was used to build the baseball diamonds at the President’s Choice Ajax Pan Am Ballpark and the fields at the CIBC Pan Am / Para Pan Am Athletics Stadium at York University.
“The advantage of an engineered sand profile is that it does not get compacted. Plants need air and water to grow; as soon as the growing medium gets compacted, it’s very difficult for grass to grow. Also, an engineered sand profile will always drain the water. Regardless of how much,” explained Steve Schiedel, Greenhorizons CEO. “Golf courses have been utilizing this technology for over 30 years. However, it’s only just the beginning for sports fields.”
Angus Glen Golf Club Renovation
Speaking of golf courses, we completed a total greens renovation at the Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham. It was a months-long process that began last fall. However, we were working on it long before then. We custom-grew the turf that we installed, which is a process that took over a year.
Angus Glen Golf Club has hosted the Canadian Open twice (in 2002 and 2007), and it was selected as the locale for the Pan Am Games through a request for proposals process that was conducted by Golf Canada.
President’s Choice Ajax Pan Am Ballpark Reconstruction
All Pan Am baseball and softball games will be played at the President’s Choice Ajax Pan Am Ballpark. We helped convert the facility’s two soccer fields into ball diamonds. These diamonds meet the International Baseball Federation and International Softball Federation’s most up-to-date standards.
Turf installation took place in the last week of September 2014. We are working with the Town of Ajax to ensure proper maintenance. This way, when the athletes are ready to play, the field will be too. Steve Schiedel and Scott Hunte provided a full-day training seminar to the Town. This detailed the unique needs of the ball diamonds’ turf, including the proper methods for topdressing, aerating, waterings and mowing. The CIBC Pan Am/ Parapan Am Athletics Stadium, located in York University in Toronto, is certified as a Class 1 track. It is suitable for hosting Olympic and other top-tier competitions by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).
Pan Am, We’re Ready for you!
Whether it’s the marathon, track and field, or race walk competitions, our turf will be ready for the athletes! Plus, it will be a level playing field for everyone.