Ontario 55+ Winter Games hosted by Orillia expected to bring $1.5M to local economy
The countdown to the 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games is officially on.
The games will be held at various locations across Orillia, Rama and Oro Medonte, with 850 participants expected to attend across nine sports, including alpine and Nordic skiing, hockey, curling and more.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
The event is expected to bring $1.5 million in economic activity to the region.
Preparations for the games have been underway for nearly a year, with 150 volunteers from the Orillia area helping out.
"We are in the final stages of preparation, thankfully. There are a lot of little pieces that still need to come together. We're finalizing the accommodations list for the participants and game schedules for the tournaments themselves, but things are all coming together," said Will LaFrance, Orillia 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games general manager.
Andrew Doble, Horseshoe Resort's Nordic Centre manager, noted how excited they are to have the event at the Barrie ski resort.
"It's great to see participation from every age, from the very young all the way up to the much older. So we're always happy to host events here because it's great to get people involved in sport."
The City of Orillia has hosted the junior winter games in the past, but this is the first time it is hosting the 5+ event.
The games will take place from February 6 to February 8.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The U.S. Supreme Court weakens federal regulators, overturning decades-old Chevron decision
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday upended a 40-year-old decision that made it easier for the federal government to regulate the environment, public health, workplace safety and consumer protections, delivering a far-reaching and potentially lucrative victory to business interests.
Ontario MPP removed from PC caucus over 'serious lapses in judgment'
Premier Doug Ford has removed a member of his caucus due to what he’s describing as 'serious lapses in judgment.' In a statement released Friday morning, the premier’s office said MPP Goldie Ghamari had been removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus 'effective immediately.'
Biden's Democratic allies admit he had a poor debate but say they're still standing behind him
U.S. President Joe Biden strained to quell Democratic anxieties over his unsteady showing in his debate with former U.S. president Donald Trump, as elected members of his party closed ranks around him in an effort to shut down talks of replacing him atop the ticket.
Russia to prepare a 'response' to U.S. drones over Black Sea
Russia's defence minister ordered officials to prepare a 'response' to U.S. drone flights over the Black Sea, the ministry said Friday, in an apparent warning that Moscow may take forceful action to ward off the American reconnaissance aircraft.
Is homemade sunscreen safe to use? Here's why it's 'a horrible idea,' according to experts
If you could make sunscreen with items found in your kitchen pantry, should you do it? Posts from social media influencers and bloggers including recipes to make your own sunscreen have been wildly circulated online, but the dermatologists who spoke to CTVNews.ca call it a 'horrible idea.'
Here is where, how and when to watch the 2024 NHL Entry Draft
The 2024 NHL Entry Draft starts at 7 p.m. EST on Friday night and runs for two days from Sphere in Las Vegas.
'Hanging on for her life': Sask. family desperate to bring home sick niece from Philippines
For half a decade, a Saskatoon family has been trying to bring their orphaned niece to Canada, they say now it’s a matter of life or death.
Fines related to neighbour's 443 noise complaints at centre of B.C. dispute
A B.C. condo owner who was fined tens of thousands of dollars over hundreds of noise complaints made by his downstairs neighbour was partially successful in having the penalties overturned.
Navy facility in Canadian Arctic 'could be finished this season,' a decade overdue
Nearly a decade behind schedule, the Canadian military’s long-promised naval refuelling station in the High Arctic could open as early as this summer, albeit with restrictions on the facility's operations and serious questions about its long-term viability.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Kitchener
-
Guilty plea to second-degree murder of Kitchener man
A man, previously found guilty of first-degree murder in connection to a 2014 death in Kitchener, has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.
-
Showdown expected at Thursday night's Stratford council meeting
Drama is usually reserved for the Stratford Festival stage, but on Thursday night, it might play out at Stratford City Hall - again.
-
Extended care registration will reopen in July for Waterloo Region schools
Parents who ran into technical problems with Waterloo Region’s registration system for before and after school programs have a new date to circle on their calendars.
London
-
Front of Pet Valu store shattered by car
No injuries are reported after a car crashed into the front of a store in London on Friday morning. Police and fire responded to the Pet Valu store in the area of Commissioners Road and Wellington Road around 9:45 a.m.
-
Beach water testing results for the weekend of June 28, 2024
Beaches in the region have a history of being safe, however, water quality can change from day to day or even hour to hour depending on the weather and other conditions which can impact the bacteria levels in the water.
-
Charges laid in fatal hit and run in St. Thomas
Charges have been laid in relation to a recent fatal fail to remain investigation in St. Thomas. The accused appeared in court Thursday and has been remanded into custody.
Windsor
-
Guns seized at Windsor-Detroit Tunnel
Canada Border Services Agency officers seized three guns from a traveller at the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel.
-
Windsor restaurant featured on dog-friendly list
Windsor's The Keg Steakhouse is featured as a dog-friendly restaurant on Open Table’s list of Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining.
-
8-year-old cyclist suffers serious injuries after getting struck by vehicle: OPP
Essex County OPP say an 8-year-old boy was transported to hospital with serious injuries after a cyclist was struck in Lakeshore.
Northern Ontario
-
Five survivors from Sudbury, Ont., rescued in human trafficking investigation
Six people have been charged in a provincial human trafficking investigation that identified five survivors from Greater Sudbury.
-
Critics say end of safe consumption services in northern Ont. will strain health system, lead to more deaths
The northeast’s only remaining supervised consumption site, Safe Health Site Timmins (SHST), is shutting down its safe consumption services at the end of the month.
-
Ontario MPP removed from PC caucus over 'serious lapses in judgment'
Premier Doug Ford has removed a member of his caucus due to what he’s describing as 'serious lapses in judgment.' In a statement released Friday morning, the premier’s office said MPP Goldie Ghamari had been removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus 'effective immediately.'
Sault Ste. Marie
-
IPV program making a difference, Sault police say
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service says there has been a positive difference since increasing its focus on intimate partner violence.
-
Police find vehicle in a ditch on Manitoulin Island, impaired driving charges follow
Police on Manitoulin Island noticed two people looking in a ditch late Thursday evening on Highway 540.
-
Northwestern Ont. police investigate fatal Hwy. 17 crash
The Dryden detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police is investigating a fatal collision involving a commercial vehicle and a passenger vehicle.
Ottawa
-
Ontario MPP removed from PC caucus over 'serious lapses in judgment'
Premier Doug Ford has removed a member of his caucus due to what he’s describing as 'serious lapses in judgment.' In a statement released Friday morning, the premier’s office said MPP Goldie Ghamari had been removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus 'effective immediately.'
-
Morrisburg man dead after a three-vehicle collision near Winchester
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says a Morrisburg man,50, is dead following a three-vehicle collision Thursday afternoon south of Winchester.
-
Ottawa Public Health warning of increased overdose risk as new drug found in local supply
Ottawa Public Health is issuing a warning about a new drug found in the local unregulated drug supply that could lead to a spike in overdoses.
Toronto
-
Three TDSB staff members cleared by third-party review amid allegations of anti-Black racism: board
Three staff members who were placed on home assignment amid allegations of anti-Black racism at a Toronto elementary school have been cleared following a third-party review.
-
Ontario MPP removed from PC caucus over 'serious lapses in judgment'
Premier Doug Ford has removed a member of his caucus due to what he’s describing as 'serious lapses in judgment.' In a statement released Friday morning, the premier’s office said MPP Goldie Ghamari had been removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus 'effective immediately.'
-
Buying a car? Why you may have to pay more at some dealers if you use cash
It used to be cash was king and that you could get a better deal if you paid for a car in full, but now many dealers want you to finance your purchase so they can make more money.
Montreal
-
Woman killed after tree falls on her in Mont-Saint-Bruno park
The pond sector at the Mont-Saint-Bruno Provincial Park is closed after a woman died after a tree fell on her on the Grand-Duc trail on Thursday.
-
Here is where, how and when to watch the 2024 NHL Entry Draft
The 2024 NHL Entry Draft starts at 7 p.m. EST on Friday night and runs for two days from Sphere in Las Vegas.
-
Rainfall expected in Montreal for long weekend
Significant rainfall and scattered thunderstorms are expected to hit Montreal leading up to this year's moving day.
Atlantic
-
Fredericton man charged after alleged assault on woman in business parking lot
The Fredericton Police Force has laid three charges against a Fredericton man in connection with an alleged assault in a public parking lot on Wednesday.
-
Nathan MacKinnon takes two of the top trophies at 2024 NHL Awards
Nathan MacKinnon took home two of the top awards at the 2024 NHL Awards in Las Vegas Thursday night – The Hart Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award.
-
What’s happening and what’s closed Canada Day weekend in the Maritimes
Celebrate the country’s 157th birthday in style at any number of events, gatherings, and parties across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island this weekend.
Winnipeg
-
'I am very proud': Manitoba grandfather and grandson graduate high school in same class
A grandfather and grandson duo proudly graduated alongside each other at the same northern Manitoba school.
-
'I felt my soul was broken': Women sexually assaulted by Manitoba doctor call for accountability
A sentencing hearing is underway for a Manitoba doctor found guilty of sexually assaulting multiple patients over several years.
-
'Houses don't just explode': Winnipeg police give update on Transcona blast
Winnipeg police say the occupants of a home that exploded in the Transcona neighbourhood on Wednesday were not there at the time of the blast.
Calgary
-
Calgary's 16 Avenue reopens as water main prepares for flushing
As the City of Calgary inches closer to fixing the water main issues prompting water restrictions, 16 Avenue N.W. is starting to reopen.
-
Suspects sought for arson following fire in Airdrie: RCMP
Police in Airdrie are searching for suspects after an alleged arson in a residential neighbourhood on Thursday night.
-
'It's anybody's guess': Flames set to pick ninth in unpredictable 2024 NHL Draft
The Calgary Flames hold the ninth overall pick in the 2024 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft, in a year where there is not much consensus about where the top prospects will be selected.
Edmonton
-
Charges pending after 3-year-old boy killed, woman and girl hospitalized in Allard crash
Police say charges are pending after a boy was killed and his mother and sister were injured in a crash in south Edmonton on Thursday.
-
Economy grew 0.3% in April, Statistics Canada reports
Canadian economic growth rebounded in April, but early indications suggested it failed to maintain the momentum into May.
-
Holland leaves Oilers; CEO searching for new GM before starting negotiations with Draisaitl
Ken Holland is out as Edmonton Oilers president of hockey operations and general manager. He joined the Oilers in May 2019 and his contract ends this Sunday.
Regina
-
Tornado watches issued for much of southeast Sask., including Regina
Tornado watches have been issued for much of southeastern Saskatchewan, including Regina, on Friday morning.
-
New Urgent Care Centre in Regina to open and accept patients on July 2
People in Regina will have another option when it comes to accessing healthcare.
-
'The line has already been crossed': Day 4 of Dumba trial sees vastly different accounts from accused, victim
Thursday marked day four of the trial of Jeffrey Dumba, a former Regina teacher who is accused of sexually exploiting a 15-year-old female student.
Saskatoon
-
Canada's top court rejects appeal from Sask. man who murdered wife
The Supreme Court of Canada has rejected an application from a Saskatoon man who murdered his wife.
-
'Hanging on for her life': Sask. family desperate to bring home sick niece from Philippines
For half a decade, a Saskatoon family has been trying to bring their orphaned niece to Canada, they say now it’s a matter of life or death.
-
Tornado watches issued for much of southeast Sask., including Regina
Tornado watches have been issued for much of southeastern Saskatchewan, including Regina, on Friday morning.
Vancouver
-
Murder charge laid in Tori Dunn's killing, homicide investigators announce
A man has been charged with second-degree murder in the killing of 30-year-old Tori Dunn.
-
North Shore hiker lucky to be rescued after calling for help with 1% phone battery: search team
North Shore Rescue says a man who got stuck in a hard-to-reach area after wanting to spend some quiet time in nature was lucky to be found after he made a call on a cellphone with a nearly dead battery.
-
Navy facility in Canadian Arctic 'could be finished this season,' a decade overdue
Nearly a decade behind schedule, the Canadian military’s long-promised naval refuelling station in the High Arctic could open as early as this summer, albeit with restrictions on the facility's operations and serious questions about its long-term viability.
Vancouver Island
-
Navy facility in Canadian Arctic 'could be finished this season,' a decade overdue
Nearly a decade behind schedule, the Canadian military’s long-promised naval refuelling station in the High Arctic could open as early as this summer, albeit with restrictions on the facility's operations and serious questions about its long-term viability.
-
Man accused in Victoria double-stabbing now charged with murder, police say
Months after a double-stabbing in downtown Victoria that left one victim dead, a suspect has been charged with murder.
-
B.C. Premier David Eby welcomes 'happy and healthy' daughter after early campaign start
Premier David Eby's special countdown ended with the announcement of the arrival of his newborn baby on Thursday, following his early campaign start for British Columbia's election.
