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Legacy of successful Ontario Winter Games will be on display at new recreation centre

Legacy Fund of $170,000 will be used to purchase and install digital video board at new complex on West Street
2018-02-14 Winter Games1
Michael Ladouceur, general manager of the Orillia 2018 Ontario Winter Games, made a presentation to council committee Monday about the successful event held last winter. Nathan Taylor/OrilliaMatters

It would seem the organizers of the 2018 Ontario Winter Games (OWG) deserve a medal.

The massive multi-sport event held in Orillia last winter was a “huge success” and turned a profit. And that means, the games will leave a lasting legacy.

Perhaps fittingly, that legacy will reside in the new Orillia Recreation Centre on West Street in the form of a high-tech digital video board.

“The ministry awarded the games along with a $1 million hosting grant,” OWG general manager Mike Ladouceur explained to council committee Monday, noting $100,000 of that grant was earmarked for a legacy fund and/or a deficit guarantee.

“The games were successfully operated with a $70,000 surplus which meant $100,000 became a legacy total of$170,000 available to be put toward a legacy project.”

Ladouceur noted it’s the “largest legacy that has ever been accomplished in the province.”

On Monday, Ladouceur wanted city council’s approval to spend that money on a new digital video board and scoring system. That approval must be ratified at Thursday night's council meeting.

Officials say the proposed system would “enhance the facility while providing the ability to host provincial-level events due to its scoring and timing abilities.”

It would also be a platform that could be used for future advertising and revenue generation for the 2020 OWG and the parks, recreation and culture department.

The digital video board would have the ability to showcase schedules, thank sponsors, and provide information related to the Orillia 2020 OWG.

“All community groups and users of the gymnasium will be able to enjoy the digital video board and scoring system and its many uses,” said the report, noting it will also enhance the city’s ability to host major events.

Ladouceur said the success of the games is a tribute to the Games Organizing Committee (GOC), generosity of sponsors and tireless support from a massive team of volunteers.

The Games’ impact reverberated around the province. Ladouceur noted research indicates the games “generated $4.2 million in economic activity for the province with $3.2 million in the Orillia area.”

He said the event generated $2.4 million worth of expenditures in the community, drew 9,000 visitors to the area and money invested in the Games supported 19 local jobs.

Coun. Ralph Cipolla praised the GOC and officials.

“This proves sports tourism is alive and well in Orillia,” said Cipolla, who notes the winter visitors “really help the retail” sector. “Sports tourism is an exciting thing for Orillia.”

The decision to recommend a digital video board was the result of a process stickhandled by a Legacy Fund Committee that was formed after the Games.

This committee was comprised of two members from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, two members from the City of Orillia, two members from the GOC and the Games Manager.

A total of nine different legacy ideas were discussed. There were the nine options considered:

  • A customized volunteer and registration system that user groups could licence/use and would be used for 2020 OWG;
  • A grant-based system that would provide funds to user groups or individuals wanting to improve capacity or to build new sports such as ringette;
  • A digital video board or a retrofit of the blue pad at Rotary Place to make it fully accessible for sledge hockey;
  • Equipment purchase for the parks, recreation and culture department (camera, Ipads, touch boards for teaching, podiums);
  • Playground structure at Foundry Park;
  • Portable staging and/or seating;
  • Public art display;
  • Pop-up games for future festivals (ie. Hometown Hockey ball hockey rink); and
  • Marketing materials

In the end, the committee voted in favour of the digital video board.

The cost of the board is $197,000, so $27,000 from the Orillia Recreation Centre Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment budget will be added to the $170,000 legacy fund for the purchase.


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Dave Dawson

About the Author: Dave Dawson

Dave Dawson is community editor of OrilliaMatters.com
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