The 2020 Ontario Winter Games (OWG) began Wednesday on the ski hills and trails of Oro-Medonte and will move throughout the region after officially being kicked off tonight with a star-studded opening ceremony and lighting of the Games flame at Centennial Park.
From Friday through Sunday evening, more than 3,000 athletes will compete in 27 different sports at venues in Orillia and throughout the region - it’s the biggest sporting event in the city’s history.
On Wednesday, the Games got a little love from the Red Chamber in Ottawa.
During a sitting of Canada’s Senate, the Hon. Gwen Boniface took the opportunity to cheer on the athletes, 850-plus volunteers and the communities who have rallied to host the massive event.
“It is an honour for Orillia to host this exciting sporting event and to have the opportunity to showcase our beautiful and vibrant community,” said Boniface, the former OPP Commissioner who lives in Orillia.
“The 2020 Ontario Winter Games will attract not only thousands of participants, coaches and officials, but an estimated 5,000 spectators from all over the province,” she noted.
“For the first time in its history, the Games are projected to be at capacity. This is expected to have a tremendous impact on the local economy. It is anticipated that $5 million will be generated,” she said.
“The Games Organizing Committee, which is made up of community leaders, have been hard at work to make this year’s Games a reality. As with all-large scale events of this type, it would not be possible without the tremendous efforts of more than 800 volunteers,” she said.
She said she was proud to note that “during the opening ceremony’s festivities, the crowd will be entertained by performances from the Mnjikaning Kendaaswin Elementary School Choir, the Orillia Legion’s Pipes & Drums, and local band The Free Label.”
She finished with this: “Honourable Senators, please join me as I cheer on the province’s young athletes and extend my best wishes for a successful event full of examples of sportsmanship, the pursuit of excellence and provincial pride.”
The Games were also front and centre at this week’s city council committee meeting. Mayor Steve Clarke and all city councillors and staff in attendance wore their OWG volunteer shirts.
At the end of the meeting, Clarke said the “city is excited to once again welcome Ontario’s top young athletes to the Sunshine City as we host the Orillia 2020 Ontario Winter Games.”
He urged citizens to support the event - and the atheltes.
“With 27 different sports, there is a lot to take in over the four-day event,” said the mayor, who invited citizes to “come on out and cheer on some of the province’s premier young athletes.”
Admission, he noted, is free to all events thanks to the generosity of sponsors.
He recognized the work and support of city staff in addition to the “absolutely tireless” work on the Games Organizing Committee that has been planning the event for over a year.
“This is truly a remarkable demonstration of community spirit,” said the mayor.
Tonight’s opening ceremonies will kick off with a parade of athletes just before the 7 p.m. start time.
Dignitaries include Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, and the Lieutenant Governor, Elizabeth Dowdeswell in addition to those mentioned by Sen. Boniface in the Senate.
The lighting of the Games ceremonial flame will follow the reading of the Athletes’ Oath.
The night will conclude, weather permitting, with fireworks.
For more information on the Games and to check out the schedule of sports, visit their website.
