Thousands of athletes, coaches, officials and family members travelled to Renfrew County to take part in the 2023 Ontario Winter Games.
With blizzard-like conditions during the opening ceremonies and a freezing rain warning cancelling the second opening ceremonies, James Brose, the Chair of the County of Renfrew Development and Property Committee, commented that the weather did not cooperate, but the games were a success.
The Chief Administrative Officer for the County of Renfrew, Craig Kelley, told the Development and Property Committee on Tuesday (February 14th, 2023) there was a series of challenges to get to the #BestGamesEver and in the days to come there will be more announced about the road to wrap up.
The County of Renfrew was awarded the Ontario Winter Games on December 2nd of 2020. Games Manager Cindy Burwell helped coordinate and organize the 2022 Ontario Winter Games and a reorganized 2023 Ontario Winter Games after the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There was 20 different sports at the Renfrew County 2023 Ontario Winter Games including alpine skiing, para alpine skiing, biathlon, cross country skiing, para nordic skiing, futsal, curling, ringette, speed skating, hockey, sledge hockey, judo, artistic swimming, fencing, kickboxing, squash, wushu, bowling, wrestling and weightlifting.
Sporting events were held across Renfrew County and in the City of Ottawa.
A “Sport For All Legacy Fund” will be left behind after the Ontario Winter Games to support local sports organizations across Renfrew County. Volunteer Sponsorship Chair for the Ontario Winter Games, Amanda Daley, previously told our newsroom that local sponsorships will help to fund sports activities for those in the area who may not have regular access to these resources.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)