Barrie will be an official host partner with Orillia when the Ontario Winter Games come to the region in 2018.
Barrie city council is set to approve a motion of $10,000 in funding along with $1,853 in an in-kind facility rental donation that will help with the co-hosting duties with the Sunshine City. Council will vote on the matter at the next meeting on Dec. 4.
The event runs from March 1 to 4 and will see over 3,000 athletes, coaches, dignitaries and officials descend on the host cities and surrounding communities for those days. The City of Orillia reached out to it’s Barrie counterparts in hopes to build a stronger event and help with the two cities as they prepare to also host the 2020 Games.
A staff report shows that Barrie will host over 260 athletes in badminton, squash and wheelchair basketball while also playing host to the some 5,000 spectators who are expected to watch the events.