Mississauga Announces 2018 Volunteer Co-Chairs and Council Appointments for Ontario 55+ Summer Games

Recently, members of Council approved the appointment of Diane Kalenchuk and former Mississauga mayor, Hazel McCallion as volunteer Co-Chairs for the 2018 Ontario 55+ Summer Games Host Committee. In addition, Council also approved Ward 2 Councillor, Karen Ras and Ward 9 Councillor, Pat Saito as Host Committee members for the Games.

“We welcome these important leadership appointments and know that the experience and knowledge of former mayor Hazel McCallion, Diane Kalenchuk, Councillor Ras and Councillor Saito will contribute to the successful planning and execution of the Games,” Mayor Bonnie Crombie said. “Mississauga is proud to host the Ontario 55+ Summer Games and we look forward to throwing down the welcome mat and hosting participants, teams, coaches and sports fans from across the province to Ontario’s third-largest city.”

In August 2018, the City will host more than 1,400 participants and officials from across Ontario in addition to welcoming visitors and spectators to Mississauga.

“Hosting the Ontario 55+ Summer Games provides a unique opportunity to showcase the competitive spirit and volunteer power of Mississauga’s older adult community,” said Karen Ras, Ward 2 Councillor. “These Games demonstrate our desire to be an age-friendly city. They also serve as an important reminder that no matter what age, sports and recreation play an important role in maintaining good health and an active lifestyle.”

The Games will showcase a variety of events throughout Mississauga over three days. Events include cycling, slo-pitch, pickleball, swimming, golfing, tennis, bocce, lawn bowling and dart competitions.

“I am so pleased that Mississauga will be hosting another large-scale sporting event like the 2016 Ontario Summer Games that will contribute to our local tourism and generate economic benefits for the city,” said Pat Saito, Ward 9 Councillor and Chair of the Mississauga Tourism Advisory Board. “Hosting events like the Ontario 55+ Summer Games positions Mississauga as a desirable location for sports tourism at all levels – local, national and international and profiles our wonderful city as the place to be for exciting events for all ages.”

Last summer, Mississauga was chosen by Games Ontario to be the host city for the 2018 Ontario 55+ Summer Games and as such will receive $235,000 in funding from the Ontario Games Program. The City submitted a successful bid for the Games after landing the 2016 Ontario Summer Games which ran from August 11 to 14, 2016.

Planning and preparations are currently underway for the Games. The next stage will be to conduct site visits of venues with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and The Ontario Senior Games Association. Recruitment of staff and community volunteers to form the Games Organizing Committee (GOC) has also begun.

Games Ontario

The Ontario 55+ Summer Games is supported by the Ontario Government, through its Games Ontario program. This program delivers or supports multi-sport events, including the Ontario Winter and Summer Games for youth, the Ontario 55+ Summer and Winter Games, the Ontario ParaSport Games, the 2017 North American Indigenous Games and the 2017 Invictus Games.

Background

Biographies of the Volunteer Co-Chairs of the 2018 Ontario 55+ Summer Games Host Committee

Diane Kalenchuk

Diane Kalenchuk is a Mississauga realtor and has been an active volunteer for over 40 years. Her background is highlighted by a number of landmark achievements that include being named a Life Member of Gymnastics Mississauga, Mississauga’s Citizen of the Year in 2002 and receiving the Chairman’s Award from Heritage Mississauga in 2016. Kalenchuk is recognized for her leadership expertise and ability to work with people and her numerous contributions to the community. She has also participated as a member of several working committees and has chaired committees planning large events.

Hazel McCallion

Hazel McCallion has lived in Mississauga since the early 1950’s. McCallion holds a world-record tenure as an elected leader from 1978 to 2014. During this time she established many citizens’ committees and led the City to many achievements in development and operating practices.

Biographies of the Council Appointed Ontario 55+ Summer Games Host Committee Members

Ward 2 Councillor Karen Ras

Ward 9 Councillor Pat Saito