Durham Region 2023 Ontario Parasport Games Legacy Fund supports community for future generations

Whitby, Ontario – The athletes have returned home. The roar of the crowds have quieted. But thanks to an outstanding legacy fund of $145,579, the Durham Region 2023 Ontario Parasport Games will have a positive impact in our community for years to come.

The Durham Region 2023 Ontario Parasport Games were a resounding success by all accounts. Community support was tremendous throughout planning and execution, including sponsorship, volunteerism, headband knitting, and athlete support through the “Be The Roar” campaign. The Games generated an estimated $872,991 in economic activity across the province, $702,853 of which occurred in Durham Region.

Sponsorship and fundraising activities for the Games generated nearly $267,000, demonstrating the overwhelming support of partners from Durham Region and beyond, and surpassing the initial sponsorship target by nearly 165 per cent. The initial budgeted legacy fund target of $60,230 was surpassed by about 240 per cent.

The 2023 Games Legacy Fund will be distributed as follows:

• Durham Community Foundation (DCF) “Durham Region Adaptive Sport & Recreation Legacy Fund”: $112,000. DCF will administer this newly established fund with input from the Durham Adaptive Sport Collective (DASC). The fund’s purpose is to support adaptive/parasport activities, programs and events offered in Durham Region. Legacy funds from other adaptive sport events and community initiatives could also be contributed to this fund in the future so that it continues to grow.
• Adaptive Sport Festival: $30,000. This festival will be developed in collaboration with the DASC and other partners to provide school groups and the broader community with adaptive sport try-it opportunities and information about local programs. Since hosting the Games in 2019 and again in 2023, new programs and teams in adaptive sports such as Sitting Volleyball, 5-a-side/Blind Soccer, Boccia, adaptive/para climbing, and PowerHockey, have launched in our community. The objective of this Adaptive Sport Festival is to foster the growth of existing programs, and to identify opportunities to bring new parasport programs to the region.
• Community Tree and Shrub Planting: $3,529. Through a partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Town of Ajax, more than 100 trees and shrubs will be planted in spring 2024. This initiative will highlight the sustainability goals of the Games. The trees and shrubs will be planted in honour of participants and volunteers to help offset the Games’ carbon footprint.

Game organizers are most appreciative of the support and funding provided by The Regional Municipality of Durham and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, lower tier municipalities, venues and all other partners.

On February 16, 2024, Sport Tourism Canada (STC) announced finalists for the 2024 PRESTIGE Awards which recognize exceptional sport tourism initiatives, multi-sport games and events. The Durham Region 2023 Ontario Parasport Games has been named as one of three finalists for the Legacy of the Year award. Winners will be announced at the 2024 STC PRESTIGE Awards on March 15.  

Quotes

“2023 Ontario Parasport Games were a resounding success. Local volunteers and sponsors rallied around participating athletes, empowering them to showcase their skills and abilities. We’re proud of the impact that these Games will have for years to come, leaving a legacy that will support activities, programming and events across Durham Region that reduce barriers and enable greater numbers of Ontarians to realize the benefits that come from participating in sport.”

– Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

“We could not be more proud of the outpouring of support for these Games. Durham Region demonstrated, once again, our community’s standing commitment to accessibility and inclusion. The established Legacy Fund will enable our region to work toward ensuring we are accessible for everyone who works or plays here.”

– John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer, The Regional Municipality of Durham

“We set out to host the best Games yet. For our team, that meant not just success during the Games weekend, but creating a legacy of increased opportunities and participation in adaptive sport in our community.”

– Don Terry, Games Co-Chair

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For media requests, please contact CorporateCommunications@durham.ca.