PRESS RELEASE Lou Rinaldi, M.P.P. Northumberland-Quinte West For Immediate Release February 23, 2017

Ontario Seniors Shine at 55+ Winter Games in Cobourg Province Celebrates Seniors Who Participated In Games

Ontario and MPP Rinaldi are celebrating all seniors who participated in the Ontario 55+ Winter Games, making the 2017 games one of the best ever.

The Cobourg 2017 Ontario 55+ Winter Games were contested at 11 venues throughout Northumberland County, Durham Region and the City of Peterborough. Approximately 1,000 Ontario participants competed in ten different events, including ice hockey, curling, badminton and volleyball.

Ontario is supporting the Games under the Ontario Games program, which is part of Game ON - The Ontario Government's Sport Plan to help more Ontarians participate and excel in sport. Game ON recognizes the many ways organized sport can be good for people and communities, from the health benefits of physical activity to the economic benefits of hosting multi-sport events. Game ON is one of the many legacies of the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.

Investing in our amateur sport system is part of the government’s plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

QUOTES

"Ontario salutes all the seniors, coaches and volunteers who participated in 2017 Ontario 55+ Winter Games. The province is proud to support multi-sport events to give all Ontarians of all ages the opportunity to compete in sports and for communities to showcase their diversity and rich heritage. " — Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

“The Games drew hundreds of people to Cobourg and shone a spotlight on our community’s outstanding winter activities for the young at heart. Congratulations to all the participants.” — Lou Rinaldi, MPP Northumberland-Quinte West

“Congratulations to all participants of the Ontario 55+ Winter Games. This year’s participants are an excellent example of how seniors can lead healthy, active lives. — Dipika Damerla, Minister Responsible for Seniors …/2

Cobourg Office Brighton Office 513 Division Street, Unit 7 6 Oliphant Street, Unit 3B Cobourg, ON K9A 5G6 P.O. Box 1000, B 1-800-263-3980 Brighton,ON K0K 1H0 [email protected] 613-475-1040 [email protected] www.lourinaldi.com

- 2 -

"Enthusiasm is running high for the many 55+ Ontarians that are travelling to Cobourg for the Ontario 55+ Winter Games this week. Everyone is looking forward to not only the competition, but also connecting with old friends and meeting new ones. The OSGA and its members congratulate the Town of Cobourg and its volunteers for all their hard work in hosting these Games." — Gail Prior, President, Ontario Seniors Games Association

QUICK FACTS

. Ontario supported the 2017 Ontario 55+ Winter Games with a $235,000 investment through its Games Ontario Program as part of Game ON. . The Ontario 55+ Winter Games is a celebration of active living and is the only multi-sport games event of its kind in the province. . Ontario is excited to host the North American Indigenous Games and the later this year. . 2017 is Ontario’s 150th anniversary celebration that includes showcasing our collective accomplishments in sports, culture and industry while establishing strong economic, social and cultural legacies across the province. . In early 2016, the announced a new framework for the Ontario Games Program under the name of Games Ontario that includes increased funding support for host communities, a new logo and branding.

LEARN MORE

. 2017 Ontario 55+ Winter Games . Ontario150

Lou Rinaldi, M.P.P. Northumberland-Quinte West 1-800-263-3980