Pan Am Games: Hamilton has "surplus" of volunteers

Call it the volunteer capital of Canada.

That's the nickname that Greg Maychak, the city's manager of Pan Am Initiatives, said Hamilton has earned after more than double the number of requested volunteers signed up to help out for the games.

The only trouble is, now they have to find work for all the "free" hands.

Hamilton has amassed 3,074 volunteers for the Pan Am Games. The city initially asked for 1,500. Compare that enthusiasm to Toronto, where city is still seeking volunteers to help out.  

"We're thrilled at the level of support, and the  passion and interest from the community to not only volunteer their time, but basically give up 16 days, a minimum of 100 hours to support the games," Maychak said.

"The hope is when people come forward and volunteer their time, each and every one of them can benefit and be part of the games. I think our challenge now is we're over-subscribed and we have so many volunteers that we might not be able to use all of them."

Maychak, however, says the issue of a "surplus" of volunteers may sort itself out.

"Based on statistics and past games… a number of those (volunteers) might not be able to fulfill their commitment," said Maychak.

At the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Maychak said more than 50 per cent of the volunteers were between 16- and 24-years-old.

"Their life circumstances change," Maychak said.

Volunteers do a minimum of 100 hours of work, and are not compensated with tickets. Some may work on the field of play, while others could be in the background.

Each volunteer needs to go through eight hours of training in four sessions. Maychak said people on Hamilton's "surplus" volunteer list may be contacted if someone can no longer commit to working the full amount, miss training, or more hands are needed, as he suggested the case may be for non-sport events that feature Hamilton's culture.