Markham is hosting an IndyCar race next month. Is the city ready?

After nearly a year of planning, Markham, a city with a population of just over 330,000 is getting set to do something usually reserved for cities like Toronto, Montreal, Las Vegas or Chicago: host an internationally televised motorsports race on streets that local residents drive on every day.

The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham will take place in the city from Friday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 16, and the city says it’s ready to welcome the drivers along with tens of thousands of race fans.

“In the city of Markham, we think big and we act big”, said Markham mayor Frank Scarpitti. “No doubt Markham is going to be on the international stage. It’s a moment for us to shine.”

The race was previously held in Toronto on the grounds of Exhibition Place and was a staple of the NTT IndyCar Series calendar for nearly 40 years. Last September, organizers announced a five-year deal to bring the race to the streets of Markham.

The 3.52-kilometre, 12-turn course will take place partially on the grounds of the Unionville GO station and will also see drivers race around the York University Markham Campus and the Markham Pan Am Centre.

In the last 10 months, the city says it has completed all construction activities it is responsible for, “including pit lanes, access road widening and road resurfacing,” City of Markham spokesperson Cindy Watson told CBC News.

Race promoters began erecting grandstand seating for fans this week, and further track construction will get underway in the coming days.

“We knew once that agreement was signed, we had to work like heck to get things done and we did,” Scarpitti said.

While working with a new city on a large-scale event like this comes with challenges, organizers say the relationship between them and the city has only gotten better over time.

“Honestly, it’s probably been the closest municipal relationship I’ve ever experienced in my 20-year plus career,” said Jeff Atkinson, president of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham.

“The city of Markham cares very deeply about its residents and the people that are coming into the city. [We’ve been] working closely with the local municipality and the tourism arm, Destination Markham, and making sure people can enjoy themselves beyond just race days.”

Race weekend ‘close to a sellout’: hotel association

The three-day event is projected to draw approximately 150,000 visitors throughout the weekend, with the largest crowd on Sunday, according to the city of Markham. The event is free to attend on Friday.

While official attendance won’t be known until closer to race weekend, Green Savoree Racing Promotions, which hosts the race, is positive about what it’s seeing.

“We are beyond thrilled with how things are shaping up,” Atkinson said.

The Greater Toronto Hotels Association says bookings are trending in a positive direction, with occupancy rates in the northeast areas of the GTA at about 60 per cent.

“People make their decisions a little bit closer to the event date,” said Sara Anghel, president and CEO of the GTHA. “In general with tourism, people are making decisions a little bit later than in past years due to different economic times.”

“In speaking with some of the hotels recently, they’re expecting that a lot of them will be sold out for the Indy during that time,” she added.

The city is hopeful hosting the event will create an economic boom for restaurants, local businesses and hotels across York Region.

“It’s Canada’s only Indy race and it’s going to bring 150,000 people to this community. We look forward to welcoming everybody to the city of Markham,” Scarpitti said.

Anyone attending the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham is encouraged to take GO Transit, use York Region Transit or drive to the event via Highway 407. Parking will be available to the west of the event grounds. 

Several roads will be closed in the days leading up to the event. Residents can find a full list of closures on the city’s website.