Canadian sprint canoeist and London 2012 bronze medallist Mark Oldershaw went up against compatriot and defending Pan American sprint kayak champion KC Fraser in an exhibition race to officially open the Welland International Flatwater Centre, which will host 120 athletes during the sprint canoe and kayaking competitions in 2015.

Oldershaw and Fraser also took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony at the venue, which has undergone upgrades - including the installation of a two-channel multisport training tank that allows athletes to train and race together - worth £6.6 million ($10 million/€7.7 million).

"It's wonderful to be back racing on the water here and to see all the amazing upgrades for the Games," said Oldershaw, whose father Scott competed at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics in the sprint kayak category.

"Welland was great before but now it's truly a world-class facility."


Toronto 2015 chief executive Ian Troop was equally excited by the grand opening.

"Today, with two years to go to the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games, we're officially opening our very first venue," he said.

"This is an incredibly exciting day for the residents of Welland and our partners.

"We're witnessing the beginning of a remarkable legacy for this city and Canadian athletes."

The Welland International Flatwater Centre will stage its first international competition later this year when the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Junior and Under-23 Canoe Sprint World Championships take place there on August 1until 4.

As well as the Pan American Games, 2015 will see the venue hosting the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) World Championships.

"Today marks a new beginning for the re-developed Welland Pan Am Flatwater Centre," said Michael Chan, the Ontario Minister responsible for the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games.

"Welland will not only host exciting canoe sprint events during the Games in 2015 - but these improvements will also attract many other world-class international competitions to the region.

"The Centre is a key part of the Games legacy in Ontario serving as an excellent training facility for our future stars and athletes."

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