Games Support Jobs and Businesses in Local Communities, Draw Tourists
and Promote Active Living
NEWS October 7th, 2022
BRANTFORD — The Ontario government is providing $235,000 to support the City of Brantford and the County of Brant to host the 2023 Ontario 55+ Summer Games, providing an opportunity for up to 1,400 Ontario athletes aged 55+ to come together, compete in a sport or activity they love and promote healthy and active living.
“Congratulations to the City of Brantford and the County of Brant for being selected to host the 2023 Ontario 55+ Summer Games,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “With their track record of delivering successful events and history of sporting excellence, Brantford and Brant are a perfect location to welcome participants and spectators, and engage volunteers from near and far.”
The Games also provide host communities with a unique tourism and economic development opportunity. Visitors, spectators and participants coming to Brantford and the County of Brant are expected to contribute $1.5 million to the economy by staying at local hotels, enjoying local restaurants, shopping locally and discovering nearby attractions.
The Games are delivered in partnership with the Ontario Senior Games Association, a not-for-profit organization that organizes local and regional 55+ competitions that are qualifiers for the Ontario 55+ Games. They include 19 sport and recreational activities, such as bid euchre, pickleball, five-pin bowling, golf, cribbage, cycling and more.
QUOTES
“The Ontario 55+ Summer Games are a wonderful opportunity for older adults from across the province to come together in the spirit of staying fit, active and connected. I know the City of Brantford and the County of Brant will be excellent hosts and I look forward to cheering on participants next summer!”
– Hon. Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility.
“We are very honoured and excited to have been selected to co-host this prominent event. The Ontario 55+ Summer Games will provide our communities with the opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate the vital role older adults play in sport, tourism and economic development. Working together to implement our inspiring vision, the Games Organizing Committee very much looks forward to executing an outstanding program that will be enjoyed by athletes, coaches, spectators, volunteers, and visitors alike.”
— Joint Statement from the 2023 Ontario 55+ Summer Games Co-Chairs, Ela Stypa Jones, City of Brantford and Donna Clements, County of Brant
“The City of Brantford is thrilled to welcome the athletes, their friends and family, officials and visitors to our community for the 2023 Ontario 55+ Summer Games. Brantford has a long tradition of sporting excellence, a title earned by hosting hundreds of tournaments each year. We look forward to welcoming these athletes to our first-class sport facilities.”
— His Worship Kevin Davis, Mayor, City of Brantford
“After the long delay from COVID-19, The County of Brant is even more excited to have the opportunity to co-host the Ontario 2023 55+ Summer Games. It is a great opportunity to work with the local community, volunteers and sports organizations to show off the athletic prowess of the County of Brant, and the City of Brantford. We look forward to supporting our athletes across the many competitions taking place.”
— His Worship David Bailey, Mayor, County of Brant
“Both in Queen’s Park and locally, I am advocating on how Brantford-Brant is a great place to live, work, grow and play. Thank you to Minister Lumsden for coming to our great community and I look forward to welcoming participants, family and visitors to Brantford-Brant-Six Nations as we celebrate 55+ Games next year.”
— Will Bouma, MPP Brantford-Brant
QUICK FACTS
- Supported by hundreds of volunteers who welcome and cheer on competitors from across the province, the Ontario 55+ Games are hosted every year, alternating between winter and summer.
- The first Ontario 55+ Summer Games — originally called Activefest — were hosted by the City of Kitchener in 1986.
- Participants of the Ontario 55+ Summer Games qualify to represent Ontario at the Canada 55+ Games.
- The Ontario 55+ Summer Games are supported by the Ontario government, through the Games Ontario program, which delivers and supports multi-sport events, including the Ontario Winter and Summer Games for youth, the Ontario 55+ Summer and Winter Games and the Ontario Parasport Games.
- The Ontario Games demonstrates Ontario’s commitment to athlete development and active living at all stages of life, and showcases the province as a prime location for hosting high-profile national and international sport events.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Ontario Senior Games Association
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For more information, contact MPP Will Bouma at 519-759-0361 or will.bouma@pc.ola.org