Newmarket Olympic Torch route revealed!

Newmarket Olympic Torch route revealed!

NEWMARKET, Ontario, December 11, 2009 - The countdown is on as Newmarket residents anxiously await the arrival of the Olympic Flame on December 18, 2009. Newmarket is one of only 200 communities across Canada that has been selected as a celebration community. Today, the Town of Newmarket officially revealed the Newmarket Torch route as stipulated by the Vancouver Olympic Committee (VANOC).

"This holiday season, we have something very special to look forward to," says Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen. "When the Olympic torch passes through Newmarket as part of its 106-day journey across the country, it will be a historic moment for our community. I urge all Newmarket residents to join us for this momentous occasion at the Magna Centre on December 18, as we celebrate our community, the spirit of the Olympic Games and the unity of our nation."

The Flame is scheduled to travel north along Yonge Street and enter Newmarket from the Town of Aurora. It will then travel east along Mulock Drive and arrive at the Magna Centre (800 Mulock Drive) at approximately 11 a.m.

Newmarket community torchbearer Clare Kowaltschuk will carry the torch into the community-wide celebration at the Magna Centre. The celebration will begin at 9:45 a.m. Entertainment will include local talent Justin Hines and The Salads. Parking and shuttle service will be available at the Ray Twinney Complex (100 Eagle Street West). Carpooling or public transit are recommended as there is no public parking onsite. Limited accessible parking will be available with a valid Accessible Parking Permit.

When the torch leaves the celebration, it will travel west along Mulock Drive to Bayview Avenue (Prospect Street) to Main Street. The Flame will travel along Main Street to Davis Drive and journey east on Davis Drive to Leslie Street. The Olympic convoy will travel north along Leslie Street and enter East Gwillimbury at approximately 1 p.m.

Following the community celebration, there will be a number of free events taking place at the Magna Centre from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. The festivities will include a Newmarket Hurricane's Sledge hockey game, Newmarket Jets Speed Skating demo, Newmarket Skating Club demo and free public staking from 1:45 to 3:15 p.m.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay route will be the longest domestic Torch Relay in Olympic history, stretching over 45,000 kilometres throughout Canada. Upon its conclusion, the Olympic Flame will have been welcomed in over 1,000 communities across the country.

A media briefing will be held at the Town of Newmarket Municipal Offices in the Council Chambers on Wednesday, December 16 at 11 a.m., more information to follow. For more information about Newmarket's Olympic Torch Celebration, please visit www.newmarket.ca.

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Media contact:
Amber Harrison, Senior Communications Specialist
Tel: 905-953-5300, ext. 2046 | E-mail: aharrison@newmarket.ca