Local Para-sport gets new $110,000 funds from Oshawa to Pickering

Para sport athletes and organizations have a couple of new resources in Durham Region with the launch of two new funds to help expand local opportunities.

The Region and the Durham Community Foundation, a local non-profit, launched the $25,000 Para Sport & Recreation Opportunities Fund and the $85,000 Para Sport & Recreation Legacy Fund.

The second fund is an annual endowment from the Durham Community Foundation the interest on this investment will be given to applicants every year in perpetuity.

Each applicant will be able to receive up to $3,000 from the fund for “charitable organizations that are building new programs, enhancing existing programs, hosting events, or acquiring equipment and infrastructure for para sport and recreation opportunities to benefit residents of Durham Region.”

Application are open from until Oct. 7 and can be made online.

The funds are the legacy of the Ontario Para Sport Games, which were held in Durham Region in 2019 and 2023. More than 500 participants took part in last year’s Games with events from Pickering to Orono.

In total the Games brought between $500,000 and $1 million into the local economy.

The games were largely organized by Lori Talling and Don Terry, who served as General Manager and Co-Chair of both Games. They are now the Co-Chairs of the funds’ Donor Committee which includes several para sport athletes.

““We are proud to deliver on the promise of our Games by ensuring their impact in our community will be long-lasting. These funds will grow inclusivity in sport and recreation activities so that many more of our residents can enjoy all the benefits of participation,” said Regional Chair John Henry.