2012 Ontario ParaSport Winter Games

The Town of Huntsville, in partnership with the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce, has been selected to host the 2012 Ontario ParaSport Winter Games (2012 OPWG). The Canada Summit Centre, Huntsville High School, Riverside Public School, Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area and Arrowhead Provincial Park will host events throughout the fourth weekend in February, 2012.

"We are thrilled to be hosting this prestigious event", said Debbie Kirwin, Chair of the Huntsville 2012 Ontario ParaSport Winter Games Bid/Host Organizing Committee. "This will be a fabulous opportunity to showcase the amazing abilities of these athletes in a variety of disciplines. We are as excited as the athletes are to have the games here again. Based on the involvement of the community in 2006, we can assure the athletes that the 2012 Games will be the best ever!"

"I am extremely pleased to have Huntsville chosen as the host for the 2012 Ontario Winter ParaSport Games and I congratulate the hard work of the volunteer bid committee who prepared and submitted the winning bid." said Huntsville mayor, Claude Doughty.

This will be the second time Huntsville has hosted the Ontario ParaSport Winter Games, as they hosted the Inaugural Ontario Paralympic Winter Championship in 2006. The Games are scheduled to take place from February 23-26, 2012. Approximately 450 participants from across Ontario are expected, including 300 athletes, support staff, coaches and officials. The seven competitive sports include ParaAlpine Skiing, ParaNordic Skiing, Sledge Hockey, Wheelchair Curling, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby and Swimming.

"The Town of Huntsville submitted a very thorough and comprehensive bid," said Cathy Vincelli, Executive Director for ParaSport Ontario. "The bid was selected based on a great demonstration of community support and the choice of impressive and accessible sporting and accommodation venues."

Other members of the Bid Committee are Lea Anne Zielonko, Brian Harvey, John Davis, Peter Redwood, John Jerrett, Joan Jerrett, Lynda Jacob, Wilf McQuinn, Ray Love, John Finley and Denise Corry from the Town of Huntsville and Kate Austin from the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce.

Letters of support for the Huntsville bid for the 2012 OPWG were received from Mayor Claude Doughty, Debbie Kirwin-Chair of the Huntsville Accessibility Advisory Committee, as well as various community organizations, businesses and tourism partners.

The 2012 Ontario ParaSport Winter Games are provided with grant funding from the Ministry of Health Promotion. The 2012 OPWG are delivered by The Sport Alliance of Ontario in partnership with ParaSport Ontario.

Read more about the Ontario ParaSport Games or ParaSport Ontario.