In 1998, the OSGA in conjunction with the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation(2) and the Ontario Seniors` Secretariat began the groundwork for the first Winter Games for seniors in Ontario. The Council decided to hold Winter Games biennially in odd-numbered years. Financial support for the first Ontario Senior Games Winterfest came from the Seniors` Secretariat. In 1999, the International Year of Older Persons, the announcement of the first-ever Winter Games for seniors was made. And in March 2000, Collingwood hosted these Games.
