The opening ceremonies for the Ontario Summer Games in Waterloo Region are one day away. Final preparations are underway for the event that will feature 4,200 athletes between the ages of 12 and 18 competing in 23 different sports at 19 venues. “We’re doing all of our deliveries, making sure equipment gets to all the venues, setting up all the sports facilities,” Allister Scorgie, the chair for the Ontario Summer Games organizing committee and director of sports hosting for Explore Waterloo Region, said. Some of the sports include flag football, basketball, baseball, archery, triathlon and wushu. RIM Park, the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium and Resurrection Secondary School will all host events. “Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, university campuses, colleges – We’re out in the townships for road cycling. It’s a very big footprint,” Scorgie added. This is the third time the games have come to the area, but it is the first time the entire region has been involved. “There’s not many places that can host this event. The last two hosts were London and Mississauga. They’ve hosted the last four Ontario Summer games. So, to be able to do this, for our resume as a destination, as a sport community, this goes at the top of our list of proof of concept that we can do this,” Scourgie said. University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University are acting as co-hosts according to Scourgie. Participants will be sleeping and eating at the campuses while some of the event’s medical staff will be staying at Conestoga College. Although competitive spirit will be abundant, the Ontario Summer Games also highlight the importance of keeping youth active. “The competition schedule is always the highlight of any big event, but for me it’s the medal ceremonies. It’s the celebrations,” Yeliz Sherifali, sport technical lead for the Ontario Summer Games, said. “It’s witnessing youth athletes who have worked so hard to be able to compete on this stage. Just watch them be able to celebrate their accomplishments and take those moments selfishly, just to take in, their successes and celebrate alongside them.” The opening ceremonies will be held on Thursday from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Wilfrid Laurier University’s University Stadium. The games will continue until August 2.
