The Georgian Triangle will host some of the province's top paralympic athletes next month.

More than 300 athletes will be competing at the 2008 Ontario Paralympic Winter Championships from Feb. 15-17. Athletes will compete in seven different sports including sledge hockey, alpine skiing, nordic skiing, rugby, swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair curling.

The event is hosted by Collingwood, but events will be held in Wasaga Beach, Clearview Township and Town of the Blue Mountains as well.

Sledge hockey will be held at the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena, curling will be held at the Collingwood Curling Club, rugby will be held at Jean Vanier High School and basketball will take place at Collingwood Collegiate Institute.

The Craigleith Ski Club will host alpine skiing, Highlands Nordic in Duntroon will host Nordic skiing and swimming will be held at the Wasaga Beach Recplex.

Event chair Kathy Jeffery says while one of the goals is to have fun, make no mistake, the athletes are coming to compete and achieve their personal bests.

"There is going to be fierce competition," she said.

Jeffery said the event is funded by several agencies including the Ministry of Health Promotion and the Sport Alliance of Ontario which chipped in more than $223,000. The Ontario Trillium Foundation also donated $60,000 for the event.

Jeffery said the Town of Collingwood has made several improvements in preparation for the games. She said the installation of an elevator and wheelchair ramp at the Collingwood Curling Club will allow the wheelchair curlers to eat meals and watch the action from the clubhouse above the ice.

The town also renovated the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena making the showers more accessible.
Collingwood resident Chris Stoutenberg, a two-time paralympics gold medalist in wheelchair basketball and the honourary chair for the event, says things such as bigger showers and wider doors make a big difference.

"The renovations that have happened are going to blow these athletes away," he said. "Hockey players aren't going to have to go home to have a shower."

Stoutenberg said this is a great opportunity for the area to show how accessible it is.

Jeffery says those who attend the events will see some great athletic competition. She says because of the support of sponsors, all events will be free of charge to attend.

"You are only on the sidelines of sport if you choose," she said. "You are going to see the bravest of the brave."

The group is always on the lookout for volunteers and those interested are asked to call 445-1030.