The wind was blowing, the snow was falling and the temperature was cold, but the energy was red hot during Thursday’s opening ceremonies for the Orillia 2020 Ontario Winter Games.
The snowstorm led organizers to call off the athletes parade as well as the buses that would have shuttled participants from out of town to Couchiching Beach Park. Still, an estimated 2,000 people braved the storm to kick off this year’s games.
“It was awesome. It was a great experience for the athletes,” said Jed Levene, chair of the games organizing committee.
Organizers had their hands full in recent days, having to make changes on the fly. Some games participants are staying at Casino Rama, which was evacuated Wednesday due to a bomb threat.
“It was a bit of a curveball, but we have contingency plans for every perceivable scenario,” Levene said.
An army of about 900 volunteers helped ensure everything ran smoothly, added games manager Christine Mitchell.
“They’ve dedicated so much time and effort to the games. They really deserve a lot of applause,” she said.
There will be plenty of applause during the course of the games, which run until March 2. More than 3,000 athletes ages 12 to 18 are in the area to compete in 27 sports.
Lisa MacLeod, Ontario’s minister of tourism, culture and sport, was on hand Thursday to welcome athletes.
She noted the province invested $1 million in this year’s games and said it’s money well spent.
“I know that the athletes that succeed in these games are going to showcase Ontario to the rest of the world,” she said.
She urged everyone to “play fun and play safe.”
“All of you are going to make amazing friends this weekend, not just on your own team, not just in your own sport, but across Ontario, and that’s what the games are all about,” MacLeod said.
Mayor Steve Clarke welcomed everyone to the “sometimes” Sunshine City, which he said is “thrilled to build on what we had in 2018,” the last time the city hosted the games.
“The athletes should be congratulating themselves for competing at this level,” he said.
The audience was treated to a set by Brandan Duke the DJ, followed by headliner The Free Label, which includes Orillia native Cole Mendez.
At the end of the opening ceremonies, the Ontario Winter Games cauldron was lit by torchbearers Bradley Bowden, a decorated Paralympian, and local figure skaters Sophia Gover and Daniel Patriquin. A fireworks display capped the evening.
Members of the public are encouraged to check out the many games, all of which are free. More information can be found on the Orillia 2020 Ontario Winter Games website.
