It seems Orillia is the home for winter multi-sport events in Ontario.
In 2028, the city will host the Ontario 55+ Winter Games for the second time, having previously held the event in 2024.
The announcement was made Thursday at the West Orillia Sports Complex by Sport Minister Neil Lumsden, who added the province is investing $325,000 to ensure "successful delivery of the Games."
Orillia is coming off hosting the Ontario Winter Games earlier in the year, its third time doing so. Lumsden says the city's history of hosting makes it a strong bet.
"The learning curve is great," he says. You do it again and again... that goes a long way and it proves that Orillia does a great job not just going after the event, but executing the event and creating an opportunity and experience for families and people around and the impact in the community."
"Feedback from the athletes and participants were tremendous, and everyone is looking forward to going to Orillia again," acting president of the Ontario Senior Games Association Ed Mark said in a news release, referencing the 2024 Games.
A major part of the plan for Orillia is the economic impact. While numbers have not come out yet from what the 2026 Winter Games did for the city, historically, it's been a good investment.
"You can just feel it in all the different facilities," the City of Orillia's Director of Business Development, Tourism and Modernization Mike Ladouceur said to Barrie360. "The restaurants, hotels really come together strongly to support these games, and that's why we continue going back to ministry and wishing to host more"
"Sport brings people together," Seniors and Accessibility Minister Raymond Cho said in a news release. "It provides seniors with a great opportunity to stay fit, healthy, active and socially connected."
Lumsden, 73, joked that he could potentially participate before explaining the importance for having a senior multi-sport event in the province.
"Just because you're 55 doesn't mean you don't like to compete in sport," the three-time Grey Cup champion said. "Things don't stop at 55 or 65 or 75. I think people are starting to understand that through recreation and sport.
"The active living piece for us is always recreation. The healthier we stay, the more pressure it takes off the healthcare system as time goes on."
It's expected that Orillia will be the beneficiary of an economic impact of more than $1 million. Over the course of all the Games Orillia has hosted, about $15 million has been generated, including an estimate of $5 million of direct spending.
Ladouceur estimates the 2026 Winter Games brought in an estimated $5 million for the city.
"You can't host without being a host, if you will," Lumsden adds. "Not only from a sport perspective, but also from a community perspective. Your can't host without being aware of the impact from people are going to stay and where they're going to spend their time."
When asked if Barrie could host specific competitions, as was the case for speed skating during the Winter Games earlier in the year, Lumsden was unsure.
“We’d have to talk and wait until the organizing committee pulls things together with respect to what the sports will be—other than the typical skiing and hockey, there’s badminton and others, so that’ll be up to them.”
Eleven sports for the biennial event have been confirmed, including hockey, badminton, volleyball and curling. Over 1,000 participants are expected.
"It's going to be a little bit of a smaller scale," Orillia Coun. Jeff Czetwerzuk said to Barrie360. "We'll do one weekend instead of two, so it'll be easier for an organization perspective."
Czetwerzuk also heads the committee that organizes volunteers, and says the games will require roughly 90 such helpers to pull off a more condensed schedule.
"Volunteers were so excited to be out at these venues helping out with athletes, coaches and sports managers. So, I think the momentum from right now, just finishing these games to 2028 will carry over."
The government also says bidding for the 2029 Ontario Parasport Games is open with expressions of interests due May 15.
