From February 3-5, 2026, HMATA, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Sport, Games Ontario, and the Ontario Senior Games Association, hosted the 2026 Ontario 55+ Winter Games. Nearly 1,000 athletes participated and were treated to the Huntsville community's incredible hospitality.

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Thanks to generous local sponsors, dedicated volunteers, and efficient management by the local Games Organizing Committee, the Games generated a surplus of more than $90,000. This Legacy Fund, administered by HMATA under direction from a Provincial Agreement, will benefit amateur sport development in Huntsville.

 

The Legacy Fund’s goal is to build the capacity of local sport organizations to develop, host, and sustain winter sport programming and events that attract visitors, support athlete development, and strengthen Huntsville’s identity as a premier winter sport tourism destination. Projects are not limited to athletes over the age of 55. 

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What We Fund

Projects that build lasting winter or year-round sport capacity in the Huntsville area, including:

• Events or projects that take place primarily in the Town of Huntsville

• Equipment purchases that enable new or expanded programming

• Coaching certification, training clinics, and athlete development programs

• Tournament, bonspiel, or competition hosting costs (marketing, officiating, hospitality)

• Trail or facility enhancements directly tied to sport programming

• Event infrastructure that supports repeatable winter sport events

 

What We Do Not Fund

• General operating costs or salaries for existing staff

• Capital projects or operating costs for the Corporation of the Town of Huntsville. 

• Retroactive expenses (costs incurred before approval)

• Costs not directly tied to sport development or participation

• Projects with no winter or shoulder-season (November–April) component or benefit (year-round projects may be eligible if they demonstrate a significant shoulder-season or winter component or benefit)

• Project costs incurred either prior to the date funding is awarded or after May 31, 2027

 

How Much Funding Is Available?

The total Legacy Fund is approximately $95,000. Individual applications may request up to $20,000. HMATA will not fund a project in its entirety — applicants are expected to contribute at least 20% of total project costs (this may include monetary or in-kind contributions).

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Funding amounts awarded will be at the discretion of the Legacy Fund Review Committee. There is no guarantee that successful applicants will receive the entire amount requested.

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If there are not enough suitable applications to exhaust the Legacy Fund within the 2026 application intake period, remaining funds will be held in reserve for future intake periods in alignment with the Provincial Agreement.

 

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Registered not-for-profit sport organizations, community sport clubs, and sport-focused groups  or businesses based in or with a project primarily serving Huntsville and surrounding area.

 

Intake Period

The Legacy Fund intake period is July 1 – August 18, 2026. Applications will not be reviewed until after the intake period has closed. Applications that meet the Legacy Fund’s criteria will be assessed by the Legacy Fund Review Committee.

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If your project meets the above criteria, click here to continue to the application form. (To preview the form, download a PDF copy here.)

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Have a different project that you think we'd be interested in? Click here to go to our Grants and Funding page.

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