Huntsville residents and businesses are gearing up as the Ontario 2026 Ontario 55+ Winter Games draw near.
The event will take place Feb. 3-5 across 14 selected local venues.
Huntsville mayor Nancy Alcock said the town is expected to draw people from across the entire region, including Sunridge, Gravenhurst and Lake of Bays.
“It will be very busy in our downtown and around our community centre, where our curling rink is,” she said. “Up at Arrowhead, of course, will be very busy because we’ve got Nordic skiing, out in Hidden Valley, as well, we will have downhill skiing.”
She also said the River Mill Park will be busy because it will be used to host a Crokicurl exhibition during the games. Along with this new addition, the event will also highlight figure skating as a featured competition.
Alcock said the event will welcome over 1,000 athletes from across Ontario. She said joining them will be their friends and family members, all supported by a dedicated team of more than 300 local volunteers.
“Our downtown, not just Huntsville, but everywhere, will be buzzing, which is fantastic for our hotels and for our businesses. And for our restaurants,” Alcock said.
The event is expected to generate a $1.5 million economic spinoff for the local community.
She said it is the third time Huntsville has been selected to host the games and added residents look forward to it every year.
“Huntsville is incredibly fortunate that we have so many of these facilities to be able to host and offer up a place to have these games,” Alcock said. “We know we’re a very, very busy in the summer months in Huntsville and in Muskoka, but it’s really, really great when you’re able to showcase the community during the winter months.
