Torch lit to mark the start of the 2023 Ontario Winter Games in Renfrew County

Well over a thousand people braced the cold, snowy and windy weather to attend the opening ceremonies of the 2023 Ontario Winter Games in Renfrew County. The opening ceremonies started at 6:30pm on Thursday night (February 2nd) and lasted approximately one hour. Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon says it was about minus 25 with the wind chill and as the athletes parade started snow squalls covered the area.

In addition to the adverse weather conditions on the night of the opening ceremonies, organizers had several obstacles to overcome leading up to the Ontario Winter Games according to Games Manager Cindy Burwell.

Burwell is excited for all the competitions to start. Emon is encouraging the community to get out and watch some of the sports over the next couple of days with all events free to attend.

Futsal, Curling, Ringette, Speed Skating, Hockey, Judo, Artistic Swimming and Fencing are part of the first weekend of competition from February 2nd to February 5th.

Four local hockey players are part of the Ottawa Valley Titans and twins Jaidyn and Alexis McGuire from Arnprior will represent “team black” as part of ringette at the Ontario Winter Games. The hockey schedule is available here and ringette schedule is available here.

The Ontario Winter Games will also have a second opening ceremonies on February 9th at Ma-te-Way in Renfrew and organizers are hoping for better weather. The second weekend of competitions from February 9th to February 12th will feature alpine skiing, para alpine skiing, kickboxing, sledge hockey, squash, wushu, bowling, biathlon, cross country skiing, para nordic skiing, wrestling and weightlifting.

(written by: Rudy Kadlec)

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