North Bay prepares for 2027 Special Olympics Winter Games with local officer at the helm

Merv Shantz says the games will include five sports and be spread across six local venues, including the new twin-pad arena and community centre for figure skating, Memorial Gardens for ceremonies, Laurentian Ski Hill for alpine events, the Nordic Ski Club for cross-country skiing, the Granite Club for curling, and Nipissing University for snowshoeing

A familiar face in local policing will help guide a big sporting event for the City.

North Bay Police Constable Merv Shantz has been named the games manager for the 2027 Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games, set to take place in the City from Jan. 28 to 31, 2027.

Shantz presented an update to North Bay Council last week, outlining the scale of the event and the support needed from the community.

The games will bring about 450 athletes and coaches to the area, along with family members.

Shantz says the goal is to create a meaningful and memorable experience for athletes while building a strong sense of community around the event.

“Special Olympics is dedicated to enriching the lives of Ontarians with an intellectual disability through sports,” he explained during the Nov. 25 Council meeting.

“It promotes opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and develop skills in friendship with families and other Special Olympics athletes.”

He also noted research pointing to the positive impact on the athletes.

“They found that there’s a 15 per cent reduced risk of diabetes … a 49 per cent reduction in depression … a 44 per cent rate of employment versus a 28 per cent rate of employment for non-athletes,” explained Shantz.

“I’ve seen this in real life. Many of our athletes who compete in North Bay get opportunities to speak, get opportunities to be involved in the community, and they are able to hold down good jobs and really evolve in the community.”

He told Council the winter games will include five sports and be spread across six local venues, including the new twin-pad arena and community centre for figure skating, Memorial Gardens for ceremonies, Laurentian Ski Hill for alpine events, the Nordic Ski Club for cross-country skiing, the Granite Club for curling, and Nipissing University for snowshoeing.

Bringing the event to North Bay comes with a cost, as Shantz says the total is around $500,000.

“It is quite expensive, I believe last time we held the games it was about $350,000,” said Shantz, with 2015 being North Bay’s previous host year.

“Out of this number we need to raise, this would include lodging, meals, transportation, venues and other daily expenses that are involved … As you can see, the cost is increasing. This is the estimate that we’ve been given.”

According to Shantz, the athletes need to pay an initial cost, but Special Olympics Ontario helps with funding.

He says the organizing team will be seeking both cash and in-kind support. The games will require around 700 volunteers, with recruitment set to begin early next year.

Community members and businesses will also be able to sponsor individual athletes, roughly $500, through a program similar to one used the last time North Bay hosted the games.

More information will be available as the preparation progresses.

By William Konken, BayToday.ca