The Ontario Senior Games Program has a new name effective immediately. Going forward, they will be referred to as the Ontario 55+ Summer Games and the Ontario 55+ Winter Games, keeping it consistent with the Canada 55+ Games (national Senior Games) and six other provinces and territories. The Ontario 55+ Games and other provincial events, are the qualifiers for the Canada 55+ Games held every two years in cities across the country. With the provincial programs staged annually in different provinces and territories, the Canada 55+ Games is a nation-wide program which serves to promote wellbeing – physical, mental and spiritual -- among Canadians age 55 and older.

In Ontario, these organized celebrations of active living, began in 1986. So far, the Ontario 55+ Games Program has been hosted by 14+ communities throughout the province. The summer edition, held in August of even-numbered years, hosts over 1,200 participants in approximately 18 events, while the Ontario 55+Winter Games held in February of odd-numbered years, has close to 900 entrants.

The Ontario 55+ Games is a program of the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport and is delivered by the Sport Alliance of Ontario in cooperation with the Ontario Senior Games Association. Brampton, Ontario will host the 2012 Ontario 55+ Summer Games, while the town of Huntsville has been chosen to organize the 2013 Ontario 55+ Winter Games.

For more information on Senior Games, please visit SIRC.