News | Nouvelles

Accommodations: We will be assigning rooms on your behalf and will provide rooming lists to your districts in the coming week. 

Registration: Registration will take place beginning at 12 pm on Tuesday, February 6th, at your hotel. For those who are not staying in a hotel, registration will be from 12 - 4 pm at the Games Headquarters - Rotary Place Arena. You will need a credit card for hotel check-in, and you will need to bring your Waiver, Medical Form, and Notice/ Authorization form to register. 

You will receive your accreditation, participant handbook and event/ transportation schedule at registration. You will need to keep your accreditation badge with you at all times during the games to gain entrance to the venues and special events. 

Opening Ceremony: Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is the presenting sponsor of the Opening Ceremony! Your ticket for the Opening Ceremony will be your accreditation badge. Please make use of the transportation provided for the Opening Ceremony and Middle Night, as parking in downtown Orillia is relatively limited. There are two venues that will host Opening Ceremonies - the Orillia Opera House and St. Paul's Centre. We will assign Opening Ceremony venue by district and hotel location, and communicate which Opening Ceremony venue you will be at with your hotel information. 

At the Orillia Opera House, the ceremony will run from 7 pm - 8:30 pm, and at St. Paul's Centre the ceremony will run from 7:30 pm - 9 pm. 

Dinners on Feb 6th will take place at hotels and at downtown Orillia locations. The location of your meal will depend on your hotel and Opening Ceremony venue location, and we will provide specific details once hotels have been assigned. 

Middle Night Celebration: The Middle Night Celebration will feature a dine-around in downtown Orillia. Participants will be given Downtown Dollars, and are encouraged to book reservations at their desired locations. Some restaurants will be offering special menus and themed activities. More information will be available on our website and social media in the coming weeks. 

Refund Policy Reminder:  There is no refund after the registration deadline for all Participant/Non-Participants. Unless:

More specific information will be shared in the coming weeks. We are looking forward to hosting you next month!

Have a great weekend!

Orillia 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games Organizing Committee

For immediate release (Nov. 6, 2023) – The Orillia 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games 100-day countdown was officially launched today at a special gathering held at the Rotary Place West Orillia Sports Complex. The City of Orillia will host the 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games, which are taking place Feb. 6 to 8, 2024, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Ontario Senior Games Association.

The 100-day countdown celebration provided an opportunity for volunteers, municipal partners, and special guests to meet the Games Organizing Committee and celebrate the upcoming Orillia 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games.

“The 55+ Winter Games is an excellent opportunity for the City of Orillia to strengthen its local economy, showcase its rich heritage, and welcome 55+ athletes from across the province,” said Jill Dunlop, Member of Provincial Parliament. “With 100 days out for city preparations and athlete training, there is already a buzz within our incredibly active senior community getting ready for the opportunity to showcase their talents and skills during this prestigious event.”

The Orillia 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games is anticipated to bring 1,000 participants aged 55 years and older to Orillia and Lake Country to compete in a variety of events, including hockey, curling and skiing. The full lineup of sports being hosted is available at orillia2024.ca.

“Our government is proud to support the Ontario 55+ Winter Games, and we applaud all participants, organizers, volunteers and supporters for their commitment to life-long active living,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “Congratulations to Orillia for hosting this event. The Games will bring in visitors from near and far, allowing you to showcase all that your region has to offer while supporting local businesses, restaurants, retailers, and hospitality services.”

The Orillia 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games will be the third time the City of Orillia serves as host to the Games Ontario multisport hosting program, having previously executed the 2018 and 2020 Ontario Winter Games successfully.

“The 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games presents an incredible opportunity for volunteers to get involved in our community,” said Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac. “Orillia has a proven track record of volunteerism, and I encourage all those who volunteered in 2018 and 2020 to bring their valuable and appreciated experience to the Orillia 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games and ask their friends and family to do the same. Together we can showcase Orillia as a premier sport tourism destination.”

The Games Organizing Committee is continuing to plan the next steps over the final 100 days, including seeking corporate partnerships through its sponsorship program and initiating a robust volunteer recruitment campaign. Any business wishing to partner with the Games, or individual interested in volunteering, can find more information at orillia2024.ca.

“It is such an honour and privilege to be here in Orillia for the 100 day out kick off of Ontario’s 55+ Winter Games. These games are a fantastic way for older adults to be able to go out and enjoy their favourite activities at a competitive level,” said Daisy Wai, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Our government will continue to show its support for the Ontario 55+ Winter Games and we applaud the City of Orillia, all volunteers, organizers and participants for answering the call to ensure that everyone in Ontario is able to stay fit, healthy and socially connected.”

Games Ontario

The Orillia 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games is supported by the Ontario government through its Games Ontario program. This program delivers or supports multi-sport events, including the Ontario Winter and Summer Games for youth, the Ontario 55+ Summer and Winter Games, and the Ontario Parasport Games.

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Photo Cutline: From left, Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac; Pachi, Head Cheerleader for Games Ontario; MPP Jill Dunlop; and Daisy Wai, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, launched the 100-day countdown to the Orillia 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games at a special celebration at Rotary Place on Nov. 6, 2023. The Orillia 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games take place from Feb. 6 to 8, 2024 in Orillia and area.

 

Games set for Feb. 6 to 8, 2024

For immediate release (March 15, 2023) – The City of Orillia is pleased to announce that the dates for the Orillia 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games (the Games) have been set for Feb. 6 to 8, 2024.

The City is building a team to lead the organization and delivery of the Games and welcomes Jenna French, local business owner and representative on the Downtown Orillia Management Board, as the Chair of the Games Organizing Committee and Will LaFrance as the Games General Manager.

“Jenna French is a well-respected local business owner and community leader, and the City of Orillia is extremely pleased to have her lead the Games Organizing Committee,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “The City has a strong reputation hosting premier sport tourism events, such as the 2018 and 2020 Ontario Winter Games, and there is no doubt this event will once again unite the community, while providing immediate benefits to the local economy.”

French and LaFrance will lead the Games Organizing Committee, comprised of community volunteers and representatives from the City of Orillia and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

"The Orillia 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games is such a wonderful event that celebrates the 55-plus population while showcasing our unique and amazing city,” said Jenna French. “I am so pleased and honoured to not only be a part of an event of this magnitude, but also to work with such a great group of dedicated and respected community volunteers to bring it all together.”

The City of Orillia estimates a need for more than 300 volunteers to deliver the Games and is recruiting interested volunteers to serve on various planning committees. A variety of roles are required including finance, sponsorship, special events, accommodations, medical, operations, and food and beverage. Community members are invited to get involved as volunteers and can find an application form at orillia.ca/55OWG.

The Games will bring more than 1,000 participants aged 55 years and older to Orillia and Lake Country to compete in a variety of events, including hockey, curling and skiing. The full list of sports will be made available once sport selection has occurred between Games Ontario and the Ontario Senior Games Association.

The 2024 event will be the third time the City of Orillia has served as host as part of the Games Ontario multi-sport hosting program. Previously, the City successfully executed the 2018 and 2020 Ontario Winter Games with the events combining to contribute more than $10 million in economic activity to the region.

For more information, please visit orillia2024.ca or follow the Games on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @orillia2024.

Games Ontario

The 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games is supported by the Ontario government, through its Games Ontario program. This program delivers or supports multi-sport events, including the Ontario Winter and Summer Games for youth, the Ontario 55+ Summer and Winter Games, and the Ontario Parasport Games.

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Photo Cutline: Jenna French (right), Chair, and Will LaFrance, General Manager, will lead Games Organizing Committee, comprised of community volunteers and representatives from the City of Orillia and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, to host the Orillia 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games in February 2024.

For immediate release (Dec. 16, 2022) – The City of Orillia has been announced as the host city for the 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games and will be provided a hosting grant of $235,000 by the Province of Ontario to help deliver the Games.

Details were provided today by Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North, on behalf of Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, at the Orillia Recreation Centre where she was joined by Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac for the special announcement.

“Congratulations to the City of Orillia! Hosting the Ontario 55+ Winter Games in 2024 will drive tourism and boost the local economy,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “These Games are an excellent demonstration of healthy and active living for older adults – I encourage everyone to come out, cheer and support the competitors in delivering their best performances.” 

The Ontario 55+ Winter Games will bring over one thousand participants, aged 55 years and older, to Orillia and Lake Country to compete in a variety of events, including hockey, curling and skiing over three days in February 2024. The full list of sports will be made available at a later time, once sport selection has occurred through Games Ontario.

“I am delighted that Ontario’s seniors have this opportunity to participate in the 55+ Winter Games,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “These Games help to promote healthy living and community participation which are fundamental to the health and well-being of seniors across this province.”

The 2024 55+ Winter Games will be the third time the City of Orillia serves as host to Games Ontario multisport hosting program, having successfully executed the 2018 and 2020 Ontario Winter Games previously.

“The Ontario 55+ Winter Games provides athletes from all over the province with an incredible opportunity to display their talents and compete on a larger stage,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP Simcoe North. “What better location than the City of Orillia, which offers such a vast array of beauty in not only its waterfront landscape but also in the diverse people, history, arts, culture, and of course, sports that make Orillia such a great place to live, work and play.”

The hosting grant of $235,000 will be used to offset operational costs, such as facility fees, accommodations and food and beverage for the athletes and other participants at the Games. Additionally, funding for the Games will be supported through the Orillia Municipal Accommodation Tax and participant entry fees. The Games are anticipated to generate over $1.5 million in local economic activity.

"The opportunity to host the 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games presents an incredible opportunity to show off our community,” said Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac. “With a return to live sporting events after the COVID-19 pandemic, events like these will help inject much needed activity into the local economy, while showcasing the exceptional facilities, restaurants and accommodations Orillia and Lake Country has to offer.”

The City of Orillia is recruiting for interested volunteers to serve on its Games Organizing Committee. A variety of roles are available including chairing various subcommittees such as finance, sponsorship, special events, accommodations, medical, sport technical and food and beverage. Application forms can be found at orillia.ca/55OWG.

Games Ontario

The 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games is supported by the Ontario government, through its Games Ontario program. This program delivers or supports multi-sport events, including the Ontario Winter and Summer Games for youth, the Ontario 55+ Summer and Winter Games, and the Ontario Parasport Games.

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Photo Cutline: MPP Jill Dunlop (left), Orillia athlete Tim Payne, and Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac, make an announcement regarding Orillia being awarded the right to host the 2024 Ontario 55+ Games.