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On June 10, the County of Renfrew announced details about the Renfrew County 2023 Ontario Winter Games Legacy Fund, which sees $375,000 entrusted to the Ottawa Valley Community Foundation. Taking part in the cheque presentation (from left) were County Councillor Jennifer Murphy, Finance and Administration Committee Chair; Games Organizing Committee members Shannon Fraser, JodyAnne McDonald, Warden Peter Emon (Chair); Kellie Innes, Games Administration Committee; Cindy Burwell, Games Manager; Kim Chenard, Foundation Board member; Simon Brooks, Games volunteer; Matt Bradley, Foundation Board Chair and Amy Ramos Chang; Games Organizing Committee. County of Renfrew photo.
Hosting the Best Games Ever in Renfrew County was no small feat and did not come without its challenges, but the lasting legacy of the Renfrew County 2023 Ontario Winter Games will ensure local youth have access to sporting opportunities for years to come.
On June 10, Melissa Bishop-Nriagu, Renfrew County native and Olympic runner who served as the Games Ambassador, had the privilege of announcing that the Games Legacy Fund will consist of $375,000, which has been entrusted to the recently renamed Ottawa Valley Community Foundation. Attending the meeting virtually, she made the announcement and indicated the positive impact this fund will have on local athletes.
“As a young athlete, this is something I would have applied for while growing up and trying to make my Olympic dreams come true; this is something that will absolutely be used in our community,” she said. “I am so proud of our community for hosting and pulling off something so big. This is just the start of what our communities can do. You have put Renfrew County on the map with the Ontario Winter Games and I am so proud to have been a part of it.”
The Renfrew County 2023 Ontario Winter Games, held over two weekends in February 2023, featured 2,300 participants, including athletes, coaches, officials and sport reps in 22 different sports played at 15 venues in nine host communities. Close to 1,400 volunteers contributed 12,250 hours to help make the games a resounding success and 51 sponsors and donors gave generously to the Games. It is estimated the Ontario Winter Games added more than $4 million to the local economy.
Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon, Chair of the Games Organizing Committee, highlighted aspects of the granting process for the Games Legacy Fund, which will see the first applications accepted in early 2025.
The three granting areas will be:
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Youth Sport Grant (up to age 21) – $20,000 annually (grants up to $1,000 per request for equipment costs, travel costs, registration, etc.);
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Sports Clubs – $20,000 annually (four grants per year of $5,000) for teams, clubs and organizations with a specific need;
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Major Sports Infrastructure – $40,000 annually (two grants per year up to $20,000) for new builds or infrastructure improvements in existing sports facilities that will improve accessibility, ensure more people can participate, improve the quality of the facility or provide a new option for sport.
The Warden expressed his pride in hosting the Best Games Even and stated it truly was a team effort from multi-year commitment of the Games Organizing Committee, the host municipalities offering up their venues, volunteers across Renfrew County dedicating their time and energy, and the County of Renfrew staff who assisted in the background.
“We wanted to show off our communities and reinvigorate our communities and I believe we more than accomplished that objective,” Warden Emon said. “From the beginning, the Games were meant to bring a legacy to the region and we are thrilled to be able to announce those details tonight.”
In terms of the Games Legacy Fund, he called the partnership with the Ottawa Valley Community Foundation a perfect marriage because the goals of the organizations are so well aligned.
Matt Bradley, board Chair, Ottawa Valley Community Foundation, explained the group changed its name because the Foundation’s catchment area has continued to expand since it was formed in 2008 to meet social and capital needs in the community.
“We are honoured here today to be asked to be the stewards of the excess money coming out of the beautiful games, the Ontario Winter Games in Renfrew County,” Mr. Bradley said. “We will ensure those monies are properly invested and distributed in accordance with the vision of the Games Organizing Committee. We thank the committee and the County of Renfrew for their trust in the Foundation.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Craig Kelley Chief Administrative Officer 613-735-7288
Tina Peplinskie Media Relations Coordinator 613-735-7288
