Durham Region 2023 Ontario Parasport Games receives national PRESTIGE Award

Whitby, Ontario – The Durham Region 2023 Ontario Parasport Games (Games) have been recognized by Sport Tourism Canada with a 2024 PRESTIGE Award for Legacy of the Year.

The Legacy of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding achievements or contributions by individuals, companies or organizations that have helped to advance sustainable and environmental stewardship within a Canadian Sport Event in 2023 and have left a demonstrable legacy to the community.

The Games were successfully hosted from February 3 to 5, 2023. The event provided athletes with quality competitive experiences in 11 parasports and showcased four demonstration sports. The Games Organizing Committee, led by Sport Durham, established legacy initiatives and partnerships before the Games began, prioritizing sustainability, and social inclusion and responsibility from the outset. 

The Games brought $702,853 in economic impact to Durham Region and a $145,579 legacy fund that will benefit our community for years to come. The initial budgeted legacy fund target of $60,230 was surpassed by more than 240 per cent.

Durham announced plans for the 2023 Games Legacy Fund in February of this year. The Games Legacy Fund will be distributed as follows:

• Durham Community Foundation “Durham Region Adaptive Sport and Recreation Legacy Fund”: $112,000.
• Adaptive Sport Festival: $30,000.
• Community Tree and Shrub Planting: $3,529.

Games 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.

Congratulations to North American Indigenous Games 2023 who were also recognized with a 2024 PRESTIGE Award for Legacy of the Year. 

Quotes

“Congratulations to organizers, participants, and volunteers of the 2023 Ontario Parasport Games for receiving this award. It offers further proof that hosting sport events can unite communities, stimulate economies, and give our dedicated athletes a chance to compete here at home.”

– Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

“We are so proud of the efforts of the organizing committee and pleased to see them receive this national recognition. The Legacy Fund will enable Durham Region to work toward ensuring we are accessible for everyone who lives 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. And that included creating a legacy of increased opportunities and participation in adaptive sport in our community. Mission accomplished!”

– Don Terry, Games Co-Chair

“It is an honour to receive this Sport Tourism Canada PRESTIGE award. Our Games legacy is a testament to the power of collaboration. Thanks to the contributions of our community—as volunteers, partners, sponsors and spectators—we delivered a memorable Games for the athletes that will have a sustainable impact on adaptive sport for years to come.”

– Lori Talling, Games General Manager and Acting Manager, Agriculture and Rural Economic Development, The Regional Municipality of Durham

Quick Facts

• Durham Region is home to a variety of services and accommodations in support of memorable, accessible sport event experiences. With venues suitable for hometown teams or major international events, Durham’s award-winning edge is its location advantage and the care we take to create lasting legacies and memorable experiences for participants. To learn more about sport tourism in Durham Region, visit SportDurham.ca.
• Sport Durham is a program of the Region’s Economic Development and Tourism Division, providing a full range of sport tourism services, including bid development, venue coordination, participant and visitor experience development, assistance with accommodations, transportation, catering and event hosting logistics, event promotion, media relations and more.
• The Ontario Parasport Games is one of five multi-sport games delivered by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS).
• The nine recipients of the 2024 Sport Tourism Canada PRESTIGE Awards were announced on March 15 during the 2024 Sport Events Congress in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The PRESTIGE (Program Recognizing Exceptional Sport Tourism Initiatives, Games & Events) Awards, now in their 15th year, have honoured exceptional sport events, people and organizations since their inception in 2007.

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