5 things Hamilton wants from the Pan Am Games

It's not just about ticket numbers or sheer traffic into Hamilton. Here are five other goals the city has for the Pan Am Games.

1. Showing that Hamilton can do this

It's not often that Hamilton is part of an international event of this size, and it's been a lot of work. There are traffic and transit plans to consider. Hamilton Police have done extensive security plans. Then there's the general goodwill of residents to be patient drivers, and give directions, and be ambassadors to visitors from other countries.

The Pan Am Games, said Coun. Matthew Green of Ward 3, will prove that Hamilton is capable enough to host future events.

"This demonstrates our ability and capacity to host."

City spokesperson Mike Kirkopoulos agrees. It's even shown people within city hall that it can be done.

"Planning of the games brought all city departments and divisions together‎ through collaboration and collective ownership," he said. "The community and city feels alive and vibrant."

2. Do business with other countries

The city hopes to use the games as a chance to lure millions in foreign business investment.

While the games happen, officials are meeting with industry leaders from other countries. The city has targeted seven in particular — Mexico, U.S., Brazil, Chile and Colombia as part of the "first tier" of likely investors, followed by Peru and Costa Rica as the second tier. It has particularly identified Mexico as a chance for growth.

Hamilton officials are developing a metric to know if they've succeeded.

In these meetings, they hope to focus on agri-food, clean technology and the information communication technology sector.

3. Economic spinoff

Organizers estimate that early soccer games will draw about 5,000 spectators. More populated games — they hope — will draw thousands more.

Local officials want that to translate into dollars spent at local restaurants, bars and festivals, the latter of which is under the moniker Hamilton Kicks It Up! 

To that end, Richard Sayej, the city's special projects co-ordinator for the Pan Am Games, says there are "event ambassadors" at every game to tell them where to eat, play and visit in Hamilton. 

4. A new stadium

As local politicians are fond of saying, if it weren't for the Pan Am Games, Hamilton wouldn't have a new stadium.

Tim Hortons Field cost $145 million, of which Hamilton kicked in about $40 million. Upper levels of government paid for the rest, in large part because of the Pan Am Games. Where, Hamilton politicians argue, could you get a new venue for that price?

And while construction was late — the opening was delayed nearly a year, and there are still obstructed seats — numerous politicians have pointed out that it's a stadium Hamilton can be proud of, and one that wouldn't have happened otherwise.

"The games brought new infrastructure to the city," Kirkopoulos said.

5. More visibility

Many soccer fans interviewed this weekend hadn't been to Hamilton in years — and some of them never had, despite living an hour away.

Officials hope to capture that audience and show that Hamilton is more than the industrial image as seen from the Burlington Skyway.

Rebecca Mendoza of Toronto, who has family in Hamilton, is familiar with the city. But coming for the Pan Am Games, she said, made her appreciate all over again the spirit of Hamilton.

"I can see why so many people are moving here," she said.