The City of Hamilton has voted to participate in the Ontario bid for the 2015 Pan Am Games approving a plan to build a new stadium and velodrome in the city.

Earlier this month, McMaster's Executive Committee of the Board of Governors also approved the University's participation in the bid which could include a new 50-metre pool on campus.

With the City of Hamilton formalizing its plan to participate in the bid, McMaster looks forward to finalizing the proposal for the swimming pool. If the Ontario bid is successful the project will proceed through all of the normal university approvals processes including the University Planning Committee,” says President Peter George. “The University would also have access to Games funds to help build the pool. External funds will be used to fund the balance of the project.”

The current campus pool in the Ivor Wynne Centre is 40 years old and requires major work if it is going to be useable in the long-term. The pool is used by students, the McMaster swim team, members of the McMaster community, children who attend McMaster's summer camps as well as providing space for community swim teams and clubs.
It is the only 50-metre pool in the city.

Southern Ontario is bidding for the Games against Bogota, Colombia and Lima, Peru. A final decision on which city will host the Games will be reached in November.