Para Games
Collingwood Welcomes Athletes
He Shoots ... Great Save!
The Town of Collingwood and surrounding region hosted the 1008 Ontario Paralympic Winter Games on Friday, Saaturday and Sunday February 15th, 16th and 17th.
Collingwood's Eddie Bush Memorial Arena played host to the 2008 Para Games Sledge Hockey Tournament. The action was fast and furious (above) on the opening day as the three day tournament got underway.
Seven sports made up the tthree-day Provincial Championship including Alpine Skiing, Para Nordic Skiing, Wheelchair Curling, Sledge Hockey, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rubgy and Swimming.
Stoutenburg Honourary Chair
Collingwood's Chris Stoutenberg, a double-gold medal winning athlete, acted as Honourary Chair for the 2008 Para Games.
End-to-end action and terrific goaltending entertained the spectators of the 2008 Para Games Sledge Hockey Tournament at Collingwood's Eddie Bush Memorial Arena. The teams were entered into two pools, with teams crossing over in the preliminary round.
Curling Club Hosts Athletes At 2008 Para Games
Curling participants at the 2008 Para Games agreed that the interest and participation level in curling and other sports continues to grow quickly throughout Ontario and the country. This is good news for Canadian athletes as the Winter Paralympic Games will be held in Vancouver in 2010.
Renovations Well Received At Curling Club
The wheelchair Curling Schedule begain at 9am on Friday February 15th, with participants enjoying the facilities that greeted with at the newly renovated Collingwood Curling Club. Over the summer months construction was completed on the new front entrance to the historic building. The renovation saw the installation of an elevator to allow for easy access to the upgraded viewing area for the Paralympic participants.
Downtown Collingwood welcomed participants of the 2008 Paralympic Winter Championship. Special ramps were installed at various Downtown Collingwood businesses to allow for easy wheelchair access. Downtown BIA General Manager Sue Nicholson said that many downtown businesses paid $100.00 to sponsor an athlete, with the BIA matching every donation. Nicholson said proceeds from the athlete sponsorship program went to assist in staging the Collingwood games. Athlete profiles were on display in Downtown Collingwood business windows.