‘We need people to stand up’: Orillia seeks 150 more volunteers for Ontario Winter Games
‘Not much gets done without good volunteers that do it,’ says games organizing committee chair, as he urges locals to volunteer ahead of February’s event
For the fourth time, the City of Orillia will host the Ontario Winter Games, set to officially kick off on Feb. 19.
But without volunteers, community-run events like this can’t succeed, warn organizers.
“We need people to stand up,” says Duncan McDonald, games organizing committee chair, and a prominent volunteer face in the community for the past 28 years.
In previous years of running the event, more than 600 volunteers signed up and assisted. This year, however, the sweet spot will be 300, and, currently, about 150 more are still needed.
The 2026 event is expected to attract 2,500 athletes between the ages of 12 and 18. It will take place over two weekends: Feb. 19 to 22 and Feb. 26 to March 1.
Volunteers can be expected to run duty shifts in an area that interests them. For some, that may be in food services; for others, it could be with a particular sport, acting as a general games ambassador.
Medical volunteers are also needed, specifically those with first-aid training.
“Most of the roles are 100 per cent accessible,” says Will LaFrance, general manager of the Orillia 2026 Ontario Winter Games.
“If people are interested and they’re not sure exactly where they might help out, I’d encourage them to reach out, and we can see what might work.”
The volunteer registration portal can be found here.
“I think there’s a lot of volunteer fatigue right now,” admits McDonald. “But not much gets done without good volunteers that do it, and I think this event is such a great opportunity. We have people coming from across the province. It’s really part of a bigger impact.”
LaFrance agrees, stating the event is “really rewarding” and creates a tight-knit connection with the community.
“And there’s an opportunity to see some really high-level youth sport,” he adds.
The event will feature 17 sports, including snowboarding, cross-country skiing, curling, kickboxing, ringette, and wheelchair basketball. Many facilities in Orillia and the surrounding areas will host events, including the Orillia Recreation Centre, Rotary Place, Horseshoe Valley Resort and Mount St. Louis Moonstone.
Dr. Deborah Collins, a member of the games organizing committee, is excited to be volunteering again this year. In 2018, her husband and colleague, Dr. Andrew Westelaken, acted as medical co-chairs for the games, and since then, they’ve stepped in as volunteers.
Her reason for returning as a volunteer in 2026 was the many “positive experiences” she had with other volunteers, community members, and city staff.
She explains it’s a “fun, high-energy” experience and “an opportunity to meet new people from your city and from across the province.”
“I value working with a team towards a common goal, and the games have many facets and moving parts that must come together in a synergistic manner for it to succeed. It is a challenge but incredibly rewarding,” she says.
More information about the games and volunteering can be found at orillia.ca/en/visiting/orillia-2026.aspx.
By Renee Alkass, OrilliaMatters.com
