Renfrew County 2023 Ontario Winter Games officially underway

Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon (centre), Chair of the Renfrew County 2023 Ontario Winter Games, thanks Todd Nicholson, three-time Paralympic medallist in in sledge hockey, and Regyna Armonas, an Olympic volleyball player who now calls Renfrew County home, for lighting the cauldron to officially open the Games during the ceremonies at Renfrew’s Ma-te-Way Park on February 2. 

RELEASE DATE:

February 3, 2023 

RENFREW – The weather was cold outside but the spirt of the athletes warmed the hearts of everyone as more than 1,000 athletes paraded into Ma-te-Way Park in Renfrew for the Opening Ceremonies for the Renfrew County 2023 Ontario Winter Games on Thursday, February 2. 

Although some sports got underway earlier in the day, this marked the official start of the first weekend of the Games, which continue until February 5, then resume for the second weekend from February 9-12; as the athletes’ and officials’ oaths were taken and the cauldron was lit. Pachi the Ontario Winter Games Mascot kept the athletes having fun with a dance competition while a DJ played rocking tunes during breaks in the action.

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, brought video greetings to the athletes and said she was delighted to send her best wishes as the 2023 Ontario Winter Games begin.

“It’s been such a long road to Renfrew County 2023 and at last you are here. I salute the athletes for following your dreams and never giving up,” said the Honourable Dowdeswell. “Your communities and the people of Ontario are so very proud of you and we can’t wait to see you in action. I hope that teamwork and community spirit will actually motivate each of to make your own contributions in your own ways to build a more resilient and sustainable future.”

The Honourable Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport was unable to attend the opening but offered these remarks.

"Our government is proud to support these Games and our top young athletes who have worked so hard and accomplished so much to get here," the Minister said. "Let's also give a hand to the coaches, managers, officials, organizers, and the many volunteers across Renfrew County who will help make this great event a success."

Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski officially declared the games open and thanked the hundreds of volunteers and the organizing committee who have been working for more than two years to plan the games.

“I know there are young people in this group of athletes that we will be hearing about in the future!” said Yakabuski. “I want to wish everyone a tremendous couple of weeks here, have a safe competition, and enjoy this beautiful part of Canada we call Renfrew County; we are happy to have you here, enjoy it!”

Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon, Chair of the Games Organizing Committee, told the athletes everyone wants them to be successful.

“We are very happy to have you here, we expect great things from you, you are accomplished athletes, and we know that you are going to have success,” said Warden Emon. “We know a lot of hard work and sacrifice went into getting here. We are turning the Games over to you, the athletes and officials, these are your Games, we want you to make these the best games ever; enjoy yourself, work hard and you will make these the best games ever!”

Games Ambassador Melissa Bishop-Nriagu shared her personal experience of coming in fourth place at the Olympics and how she realized that winning can be performing at your very best, facing the tough part of sport square in the face, and remembering to be yourself.

“I’m thrilled for our community that we can host such a prestigious event, to show off our beauty, our venues, and mostly our people,” said Bishop-Nriagu. “This is truly a time where dreams are made, results to be celebrated and memories that will stick with you for years. Remember how you got here, the work you’ve put in as an individual and as a team. Have the most fun you can, make new friends, compete hard, and don’t forget to smile!”

The games are in full swing this weekend with the following sports getting underway: artistic swimming (Dundonald Hall, Petawawa), curling (Renfrew and Pembroke Curling Clubs), Fencing (Opeongo High School, Cobden), Futsal (Dundonald Hall, Petawawa), under-14 men’s hockey (Ma-te-Way Activity Centre, Renfrew), judo (St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School, Renfrew), ringette (Nick Smith Centre, Arnprior), and speed skating (Bell Sensplex, Kanata).

For more information and the full schedule visit: https://renfrewcounty2023.ca/.

Follow the Renfrew County 2023 Ontario Winter Games: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Cindy Burwell          Games Manager, Renfrew County 2023         613-433-1037

Tina Peplinskie        Media Relations Coordinator                             613-735-7288