The City of Orillia is volleying some cash to Twin Lakes Secondary School so the local high school can host the provincial high school boys volleyball tournament this fall.
Organizers of the event were originally denied funds from the city's grants committee, but council, at its recent meeting, agreed to provide the school with $5,000 from the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) fund.
Funds will support the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations's (OFSAA) AA boys volleyball championship to be held Nov. 20 to 22.
"The 2025 MAT operating budget includes funding to support unique one-time events such as this," wrote Michael Ladouceur, director of business development, tourism and modernization, in his report to council.
The tournament is being organized by Twin Lakes and will attract 20 teams, consisting of 300 players and 200 parents from across the province competing over three days; there will also be an athletic banquet.
Games will be played at Twin Lakes as well as the Orillia Recreation Centre and the Orillia Secondary School gymnasiums.
"Developing sport tourism as a key economic driver has been highlighted within the five-year economic development strategy for the City of Orillia. Having the community host unique one-time events helps drive overnight stays, increase visitor spending and ultimately contribute to the local economy," wrote Ladouceur.
The event qualifies as sport tourism as it will drive overnight stays at local hotels and other accommodations, he explained.
Past uses of MAT funds have included the 2020 Ontario Winter Games, the 2024 Ontario 55+ Winter Games and the Ontario Small Urban Municipality Conference, all of which Orillia hosted.