The Ontario Youth Winter Games could be coming to Renfrew County in 2022. Calabogie Peaks has suggested that the games could be hosted locally using community arenas, swimming pools, gyms, cross-country ski venues and downhill ski and snowboard facilities in the area. County staff have met with municipal recreation leaders and all were positive they could meet the requirements to host the games. The province would provide funding for cover the costs such as hosting and feeding the athletes, transportation, facility and equipment rentals, promotions, marketing and hiring a general manager to coordinate the event. It’s expected that 3,500 athletes and coaches will participate in the games with family members coming to view the competitions. Chief Operating Officer at Calabogie Peaks Resort, Jim Hemlin, says if the games are held in Renfrew County it would be the first time the event has been hosted in Eastern Ontario.
Hemlin says the Ontario Youth Winter Games would provide a significant economic impact to Renfrew County by bringing people to the area in a typically quiet business period before the March break. The preliminary bid that’s been submitted to host the Ontario Youth Winter Games in 2022 identifies facilities, businesses, food services and accommodation partners across Renfrew County. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has accepted the bid for the games and now local municipalities are being asked to show their support.
