Discover Orillia’s sporting heritage during Doors Open

Open the door to Orillia’s impressive sporting history during this year’s Doors Open events held Saturday, June 20, throughout the city.

Doors Open 2015 commemorates Ontario’s sporting heritage. Famously called the “town of champions”, Orillia’s sporting past includes Canadian champions in track and field, lacrosse, hockey, and more.  Fourteen local sites, with engaging activities and displays related to the City’s architecture and sporting history, will be open to the public for free all day Saturday.

“Doors Open is a great opportunity to discover a side of Orillia you may not be familiar with,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “Orillia has so many athletic greats, both past and present, who call Orillia home and this is your chance to connect with their stories.”

This year’s event is being held in conjunction with the launch of Streets Alive’s new public art installation, “DOORS of Downtown Orillia.” The outdoor gallery of 37 repurposed old doors will be revealed on June 20 and will remain outdoors on display for the entire summer.

“The outdoor gallery of doors is a fitting stage for the event, which opens doors to Orillia’s local culture and heritage,” said Jacqueline Sockza, Manager of Culture. “Strong partnerships, such as the one we have with Streets Alive, make Doors Open possible each year.”

Maps and brochures will be available at each participating location. Select sites will also invite visitors to vote on who they think is Orillia’s greatest athlete. For more information and a list of Doors Open Orillia locations and events visit www.orillia.ca/doorsopen.

Started in 2002 by the Ontario Heritage Trust (OHT), Doors Open commemorates and celebrates the fascinating stories that breathe life into our buildings and our community. Each year, the Trust selects a theme for the event that highlights an important milestone in our province's history.

The City of Orillia is a city of 31,000 people in the heart of Ontario’s Lake Country on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Visit our website at orillia.ca.

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Jacqueline Soczka
Manager of Culture
City of Orillia
705-325-4530
jsoczka@orillia.ca

Jennifer Ruff
Manager of Communications
705-325-8929
705-238-9209 (cell)
jruff@orillia.ca