While it is unlikely that King Township will be hosting any actual events, the fact the Toronto will be hosting the 2015 Pan Am Games will be a benefit to the area.

“I’m sure we’ll have benefits,” declared Mayor Margaret Black, who pointed out the equestrian events are slated to take place at the Caledon Equestrian Park in nearby Palgrave.

“We will have people coming to our restaurants,” Black commented. “I’m sure there will be some indirect benefits.”

“I’m on Cloud nine, basically,” remarked Craig Collins, managing partner of Equine Management Group, which operates the park. “It’s great news for everybody.”

He added there’s a lot of work that needs to be done. “It’s a major national facility now, but it’s got to be upgraded to an international level.”

While the plans for the site still need to be finalized, Collins said they have a basic foot print idea of what’s needed and where it will go.

He added the improvements will be incremental over the coming six years, although they will be required to host a test event in 2014, to make sure everything’s coming together properly.

Collins was reluctant to speculate on what all this work will cost.

He said the funds will be coming from a number of sources, including the organizing committee. He said there is a formula in place for allocating funds.

“The good news is it’s all about the legacy,” Collins declared, referring what will be left behind after the games are over, “a wonderfully enhanced facility.”

Oak Ridges — Markham MPP Dr. Helena Jaczek was also enthused by what’s in the works.

“I guess we’ll get some world-class sporting facilities,” she observed, also noting they will be available after the Games for sports and recreation. She said her daughter had been a national level swimmer, and the lack of proper facilities was always a problem.