Rhéal Leroux

Winterlude, Festival franco-ontarien and Les Jeux de la Francophonie

Inducted in 2001

Before founding his own company, Rhéal Leroux and Associates Inc. worked for six years as director of the Culture and Leisure division at the National Capital Commission.  In this role, he initiated and directed Winterlude and the Sound and Light show on Parliament Hill.  He was the creative spark behind the creation of the Rideau Canal Skateway, the longest skating rink in world which has brought such fame to Ottawa. He also organized the first International Conference of Winter Activities.

In 1984 he was the executive coordinator of the Pope's visit to Ottawa. He was the President of the Festival franco-ontarien for a number of years and served as its Managing Director.  Rhéal was the coordinator for the Ottawa-Hull bid for the World Francophone Games and was responsible for the organizing of the IV Games of the Francophonie in July of 2001 with a budget of $50 million dollars.