It’s another feather in the cap for the City of Orillia as it has earned the right to host the 2028 Ontario 55+ Winter Games. Orillia is once again getting ready to welcome athletes from across the province. “These games are the province’s premiere winter sporting events for seniors,” said Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden. “They are a testament to the benefits of a long life and healthy active living.” The province is giving the games $325,000 for the multi-day event which is held every two years. This will mark the fifth time Orillia has been selected to host an event like this. They just finished welcoming more than 2,500 12 to 18-year-olds over two weeks for the 2026 Ontario Winter Games. Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac says the economic spin-offs are somewhere in the neighbourhood of $1 million. “These are real dollars supporting local businesses, accommodations, restaurants and services right here in Orillia,” says McIsaac. Businesses around the city are excited to see another major sporting event coming to Orillia. “I mean, it definitely helps restaurants, helps gas stations, it helps the hotels, it helps shopping,” says Michelle McNaney, general manager of the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott. “I mean, Orillia is very fortunate and lucky to have these folks come in here and we’re lucky to be picked to host it.” Stores that line the downtown are also eager to have the extra visitors for the three day event. “It helps to secure Orillia’s reputation as a destination not just for tourism but for events and sports like this,” says Mike Martyn from The Hog and Penny. The full list of events has not yet been finalized but they will be scattered throughout the city. Orillia’s new rec centre and Rotary Place will be used throughout the games. Organizers of the games say they will be looking for volunteers and those who are interested are invited to reach out to the City. It will be a busy three days with more than 1,000 athletes and families expected to take part in roughly ten events.
