The City of Orillia and the Games Organizing Committee have been preparing for more than a year to welcome the Orillia 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games (55+ Games) to the Sunshine City.
With over 150 volunteers to help facilitate the 55+ Games, the City is ready to host nearly 1,000 participants aged 55 years and older in nine different sports. Sports include hockey, curling, alpine skiing, badminton, volleyball, duplicate bridge, table tennis, and prediction skating.
“The City of Orillia is excited to welcome the 55+ Games to our community. This is a great opportunity to showcase our wonderful city and all that Orillia has to offer,” said Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac. “On behalf of Council, I would like congratulate the athletes, coaches and families for their great accomplishments and wish them the best of luck for a successful and exciting event.”
With details being finalized, here is what members of the public should know about this exciting provincial competition taking over the city:
Road Closures/Transit Impacts:
Feb. 6, 2024 – In order to facilitate the opening ceremonies for the athletes, Peter Street from Coldwater Street East to Neywash Street will be closed to traffic from 4 to 10 p.m.
Feb. 7, 2024 – As part of the 55+ Games celebrations in downtown Orillia, Peter Street from Colborne Street East to Mississaga Street East will be closed from 4 to 10 p.m.
This will also result in a temporary Orillia Transit detour on the Laclie Street Route on Feb. 7, 2024. The outbound Laclie Route will travel down Colborne Street East and make a left onto Front Street to resume regular service. Two transit stops will be unavailable during the road closure (see the detour notice attached). The detour will be in effect from 3:45 p.m. to the end of service on Feb. 7, 2024.
Recreation Facility Impacts:
Due to the facilitation of the 55+ Games, there will be cancellations to regular programming at the following City recreation facility spaces from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7 and Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.
- Rotary Place, 100 University Ave. – both ice surfaces and multi-purpose rooms
- Brian Orser Arena, 433 Gill St. – ice surface
- Barnfield Point Recreation Centre, 500 Atherley Rd. – curling ice (all sheets)
- Orillia Recreation Centre, 255 West St. S. – gymnasium and multi-purpose rooms
Drop-in programming for the facilities listed above has been cancelled and the Seniors at Play program has been relocated. All evening programs after 6 p.m. at all impacted facilities will have regularly scheduled programming. The aquatic centre, fitness centre and walking/jogging track at the Orillia Recreation Centre will remain open for use.
Cheering on the Athletes
Members of the public are welcome to attend the many sporting events to cheer on the athletes. Thanks to generous local sponsorships, admission to all sporting events will be free.
Competition venues are located throughout the region, including Rotary Place, Barnfield Point Recreation Centre, Orillia Recreation Centre, Horseshoe Resort, Coldwater Curling Club, and the Mnjikaning Arena Sports Ki. A full schedule for all sports is available at orillia2024.ca. Results will also be posted online at orillia2024.ca when available.
Stay up to date by following the 55+ Games online at orillia2024.ca or on Facebook and Instagram @Orillia2024.
The 55+ Games are supported by the Province of Ontario with a hosting grant of $235,000, with additional funding being provided by the participants themselves and Orillia’s Municipal Accommodation Tax. Overall, the 55+ Games are expected to generate more than $1.5 million in local economic activity.