There may be “challenges” ahead for Hamilton to build the Pan Am Games center piece stadium, but the head of the 2015 Pan Am Games says he’s confident city officials can overcome those obstacles.

“We have to work with those issues,” said Ian Troop, chief executive officer of the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Games, during a news conference March 10. “I don’t see anything that they can’t overcome. There is a strong plan in place.”

Troop, along with Roger Garland, chair of the 2015 Pan Am Games board of directors, met for the first time in a private meeting with Mayor Fred Eisenberger, David Adames, executive director of Tourism Hamilton, and City Manager Chris Murray at the Park Canada Discovery Centre. Troop was selected CEO early last month.

Troop, who has 28 years experience in the consumer packaged goods industry, said the meeting was about “getting to know” the Hamilton officials and the plans they have for contributing to the games. Troop also met with McMaster officials earlier in the day.

Troop is overseeing a $1.4 billion budget for the event which will involve organizing 17 municipalities, more than 50 facilities, hosting 48 sports and 19,000 volunteers.

Hamilton’s share is about $60 million for a 15,000-seat stadium, constructing an $11 million velodrome, refurbishing Copps Coliseum for some sporting events, including volleyball, and McMaster University is constructing a new 50-meter pool.

There have been calls the stadium should be expanded to a 25,000-seat facility so it can host Tiger-Cat games. Troop had no plans to meet with any local private investors, saying it’s Hamilton’s responsibility to plan out if the Pan Am Stadium will be bigger. City officials have already stated the municipality can’t afford a larger stadium without private businesses’ assistance.

Councillors last month selected the West Harbour lands as the preferred location for the stadium. There are some questions, though, about higher costs for environmental assessments and land remediation for the west harbour site.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said there has been too much concern about the city moving too slowly to build the stadium. Remember, he said, the 2015 Pan Am Games were only awarded to the Toronto three months ago.

“No one should be hitting the panic button,” he said.

Troop said the Pan Am Stadium needs to be constructed and ready for use by 2014.

He is also confident the federal and provincial governments will honour their agreement to contribute $500 million each to the games, while also picking up the tab for any cost overruns.

“That’s why Roger and I are here, to bring the games in on time and under budget,” said Troop.

Garland said he was surprised to find the high level of interest and enthusiasm in Hamilton over hosting the Pan Am Games. He said Toronto still remains low key about the games.

“The enthusiasm is higher than expected here,” he said. “Hamilton is ahead of Toronto in enthusiasm.”

In the wake of the public relations success of the recent Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, Troop said there is added pressure on the organizers to make the 2015 Pan Am Games, which will be spread out across the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton and Niagara, just as much a bonanza for the community and country.

“There is high expectations about what this (event) can do for the areas,” said Troop.