NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF ORILLIA
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The City of Orillia and the Games Organizing Committee have been preparing for over a year for the Orillia 2020 Ontario Winter Games to come to the Sunshine City. With just one week to go until the opening ceremony, the countdown is on and all the details are coming together.
“We are truly honoured to host the Games," said Mayor Steve Clarke. "We had the benefit of hosting in 2018 and we certainly learned a lot from that very exciting and successful experience and we anticipate 2020 to be even bigger and better. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Orillia and the surrounding areas as we partner to host this provincial competition.
"On behalf of Council, I would like to thank the volunteers, the Games Organizing Committee, the generous sponsors and our staff, who have all dedicated their time and resources to planning what will be a very memorable and positive experience for the Games participants and their families," said Clarke. "With over 850 volunteers, our community has proven once again the dedication and passion that exists in Orillia and we are proud to showcase this for the entire province.”
With details being finalized, here is what members of the public should know about this exciting provincial competition taking over the City:
Opening ceremony
The City is excited to showcase our local community and culture to athletes and their families at the opening ceremony, which take place on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Centennial Park.
With groups such as the Mnjikaning Kendaaswin Elementary School Choir, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 34 Orillia Pipes and Drums and R&B pop band, the Free Label, which includes Orillia’s own Cole Mendez, the ceremony will be a great kickoff to the Games.
The Orillia 2020 Ontario Winter Games mural titled Inspired: The Road to Gold, by local artist Craig Mainprize, will also be revealed.
Mayor Clarke with Her Honour the Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, and the Hon. Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, will welcome participants to Orillia followed by the lighting of the Ontario Games Cauldron. Festivities will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display. This event will be smoke and vape free.
In order to facilitate the event, the parking lots in Couchiching Beach Park, Centennial Park and at the Orillia Waterfront Centre from will be closed from Wednesday, Feb. 26 through to Friday, Feb. 28, 2020.
The following roads will be closed from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020:
- Bay Street from Borland Street East to Jarvis Street
- Jarvis Street from Bay Street to Canice Street
- Canice Street from Jarvis Street to the Terry Fox Circle
- Centennial Drive From Tecumseth Street to Lakeview Drive
- Access to Canice Street from Brant Street East
- Tecumseth Street from Parkview Avenue to Canice Street
This will also result in a temporary Orillia Transit detour on the Laclie Route on Feb. 27. The bus will not be travelling on Jarvis Street between Canice and Bay Street and from Bay Street between Jarvis and Borland Street East. Instead, the Laclie Route will turn onto Canice Street to Borland Street East to access Bay Street to resume the regular route.
Cheering on the athletes
Members of the public are encouraged 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 Bowl, Orillia Secondary School and Twin Lakes Secondary School in Orillia. A full schedule for all sports is available online. Results will also be posted online when available.
Games gear
Apparel celebrating the Games is available for purchase online by visiting here. Orders before Feb. 22 will be shipped for free to the purchaser. Clothing will be available at the opening ceremony, registration, and various venues throughout the Games.
“We’re excited to welcome the entire province to Orillia for the 2020 Ontario Winter Games! The Games Organizing Committee is comprised of amazing individuals that have done a fantastic job and have worked tirelessly to make the Orillia 2020 Ontario Winter Games a success,” said Christine Mitchell, general manager of the Games. “We are very excited to welcome these amazing athletes, families and visitors to the Orillia community and we can’t wait to cheer the athletes on in their respective sports.”
Stay updated throughout the Games by following the Orillia 2020 Ontario Winter Games on Facebook: @Orillia2020; Twitter: @Orillia2020 and Instagram: @Orillia2020OWG.
The City of Orillia will be partnering with the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, City of Barrie, Township of Oro-Medonte and the Town of Bracebridge in order to deliver the Games, which will feature over 3,000 athletes between the ages of 12 and 18, competing in 27 sports over four days.
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.
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