The Ontario Winter Games pumped an estimated $5 million or more into Orillia's economy over two weekends, filling hotels, restaurants and retail stores during what is normally one of the slowest stretches of the year.

About 2,300 young athletes came to the city each weekend, along with their families, coaches and supporters, according to Mayor Don McIsaac.

"I think it's fantastic. I met a lot of people just going around Orillia the last couple of weekends, just going to various events," McIsaac told OrilliaMatters. "You meet people from all over the province and it's wonderful."

McIsaac said the influx of visitors translated into thousands of hotel stays and meals at local businesses.

"The estimate is we're probably close to $5 million or more, given that we'd have 2,300 athletes on each weekend plus their family, relatives, and friends," he said. "That's thousands of hotel nights and meals and all sorts of other things they pick up in retail stores and that sort of thing."

The Games gave the city a chance to show itself off as a tourist destination to visitors from across the province, many of whom were experiencing Orillia for the first time, McIsaac said. He added that feedback was overwhelmingly positive and some visitors expressed interest in returning to explore the area in warmer months.

Relief for winter-weary businesses

For downtown businesses, the timing was especially welcome. McIsaac said a number of local restaurants had been struggling through January and February, and the Games filled their dining rooms.

Melanie Robinson, co-owner and head chef at Eclectic Café, agreed. Her team prepared four dinners for athletes during the event, serving nearly 950 meals in total.

"Typically January, February and March are incredibly slow and hard as an independent business," Robinson told OrilliaMatters. "Being a part of the Games helps bump up some sales and gets us through the season."

Robinson said the Games also let her give more hours to staff, which made a big difference for her employees. She said the young athletes she served, aged 12 to 18, left an impression.

"The kids that we served were so incredibly polite and thoughtful," she said. "I was very impressed."

"I think it's wonderful for the community," Robinson added. "So many different businesses benefit from something like this."

Volunteers credited with smooth delivery

Organizing committee chair Duncan McDonald said the event exceeded his expectations, calling it "amazing" to watch young athletes compete in sports he had never seen up close.

"I was handing out medals in the futsal," McDonald told OrilliaMatters. "For the kids came who came in second, it was heartbreaking. The competition is real, it's not just a game to them."

He said the organizing committee and more than 300 volunteers worked through challenges to keep the event running smoothly.

"I don't think anything could have happened meaningfully without volunteers stepping up," McDonald said.

McIsaac said that willingness to pitch in reflects the community's character.

"It's who Orillians are," he said. "They step up when needed and they help out. They do so quietly and do whatever they can to make things work."

Given how the Games went, McIsaac said the city would gladly host the event again.

"We'd do it again in a minute," he said. "Orillia has a reputation of being able to host well and perform. That's quite helpful for us."