The 2019 Ontario 55+ Winter Games hosted by the Town of Huntsville is proud to announce the Games have created $82,076 in legacy funding for re-investment into the local community.
The legacy funding was created through a hosting grant by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, funding from the Town of Huntsville, athlete registration fees, amazing community support from local businesses and the incredible work of a very dedicated group of volunteers who led the Games Organizing Committee (GOC).
“Hosting the Ontario Games provides communities with economic benefits as well as the opportunity to strengthen and grow – and that’s exactly what the 2019 Ontario 55+ Winter Games has done for the Town of Huntsville,” said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. “Thanks to the great work done by the town, Games Organizing Committee and hundreds of volunteers, these Games have left a meaningful legacy that will benefit the Huntsville area for years to come, while bringing people together in celebration of sport and physical activity.”
“While 2019 feels so long ago, I want to once again congratulate the Town of Huntsville and the organizers on hosting a great games,” said Parry Sound-MPP Norman Miller. “This legacy funding will go a long way to ensure that seniors in and around Huntsville will have great recreational programs and infrastructure to return to when COVID-19 is behind us.”
“We are very proud and excited to announce that the 2019 55+ Ontario Winter Games will leave a legacy for our community to increase senior activity options for our residents,” said Fran Coleman, Chair of the Games Organizing Committee for the Huntsville 2019 Ontario 55+ Winter Games. “I would like to thank all the volunteers that were part of the event and the games organizing committee. This event could not have happened without the tireless efforts of so many amazing people and to be in a position to leave a legacy of over $80,000 is a credit to their hard work and dedication.”
“This is a wonderful positive news story for our community during a challenging time,” said Mayor Karin Terziano. “I would like to extend my thanks to Fran Coleman Chair of the Games, the Games Organizing Committee and the amazing volunteers who made this event a great success. This is a fantastic opportunity for Seniors in our community to access funding to increase recreational opportunities for the residents of Town of Huntsville. In addition, thank you to the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries for selecting Huntsville as the host for the 2019 Ontario 55+ Winter Games.”
Community Service Chair, Councillor Jonathan Wiebe, a former Games Organizing Committee Chair from the 2012 Ontario 55+ Winter Games added “This is great news and the timing couldn’t be better. We hope this leads to more opportunities for senior recreation in Huntsville. The success of the Games cannot happen without all the incredible volunteers who make it possible and I would like to sincerely thank them.”
The Huntsville 2019 Ontario 55+ Winter Games’ majority funding was by the Province of Ontario who awarded Huntsville the hosting rights along with $235,000. Athlete registration fees contributed $143,440. The Town of Huntsville contribution was $60,000. In addition, we had contributions from the District of Muskoka, The Town of Gravenhurst, The Town of Bracebridge and Township of Lake of Bays. Sponsorships and In-Kind donations from 26 various business and organizations that contributed over $48,000 as the Games core funding. The economic impact the Ontario 55+ Winter Games brings is an estimated $1.5 Million to the local area according to the Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model (STEAM).
Due to the success of the Games the Legacy Fund was established to encourage the future growth of 55+ participation in sport, recreation and leisure activities in Huntsville. A Steering Committee was created that included GOC Chair Fran Coleman, Games Committee Chairs and Councillor Jonathon Wiebe that received applications from community groups. The following organizations will be receiving funding:
- Town of Huntsville’s Community Services Senior Programs: $41,576
- Sewing Team (c/o Mary Spring & Terri Howell): $2,500
- Huntsville Pickleball Group (c/o Lorna Popofski): $2,000
- Arrowhead Nordic Ski Club: $3,500
- Huntsville Curling Club: $10,000
- Muskoka Seniors: $10,000
- Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce: $10,000
- Club 55 Huntsville Seniors: $2,500
The Town of Huntsville would like to thank the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries for awarding the town the 2019 Ontario 55+ Winter Games and look forward to future opportunities to showcase Huntsville to the Province of Ontario through the Games Ontario programs. Town of Huntsville Community Services staff would like to invite members of the Huntsville senior sports community groups that would like to increase our presence in the Ontario Senior Games Association for future sporting and hosting opportunities.
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