Countdown to Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games begins
We’re one year away from the start of the Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games in North Bay.
We’re one year away from the start of the Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games in North Bay.
Officials kicked off the countdown to the games, which are being hosted by the North Bay Police Service, by unveiling the blue and teal circular logo for the event.
It includes the gateway arch, the Aurora Borealis, four stars, and the Special Olympics logo.
“We’re ecstatic to be back in North Bay,” says Cody Jansma, President and CEO of Special Olympics Ontario. “As we saw today, it’s just an incredible show of force in this community. The 2015 Games were extremely well received. Our athletes had a phenomenal time, and this is a community that each and every day supports our athletes.”
Police Chief Daryl Longworth says they need to raise approximately $550,000 to host the games but also need a huge volunteer base.
“To pull off this type of event takes an army of volunteers,” he says. “We’re really going to count on this community and that’s why I was willing to make the commitment that we were going to host because I know this community will rise to the occasion and support this event 100%.”
With fundraising, you can show your support as early as this weekend (Jan. 30 to Feb. 2), by picking up one, or a dozen, Special Olympics donuts at Tim Hortons.
100% of the proceeds are supporting Special Olympics programs.
After this weekend, Cst. Merv Shantz, Games Manager, says their next major fundraiser is the Polar Plunge.
“We’ve already run the Big Ticket Game here with the Battalion where we passed the bucket and asked for donations. That was a huge success,” he says. “Our next big one is the Polar Plunge on March 7. We’re hoping to raise $50,000 during that event.”
To register or donate visit: https://soopolarplunge.crowdchange.ca/127806
Hundreds of Special Olympics athletes, coaches and families will be in the city a year from now for the games (Jan. 28-31, 2027).
They’ll be competing in alpine and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, curling, and figure skating.
Venues for next January’s games include Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens, the city’s new Community and Recreation Centre, the North Bay Nordic Ski Club, the Granite Club, Laurentian Ski Hill and Nipissing University.
Richard Coffinhttps://www.mynorthbaynow.com/Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years. From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.
