Brandon to host seniors provincial games
- Details
- Published on Friday, April 1, 2016
By Sheila Runions
Publicity
Nine months have passed since it was officially announced that Brandon would host the annual 55 Plus Games. Brandon Rotary Club and James B. Chrisp United Commercial Travelers (UCT) have partnered to host this provincial sporting event which is sponsored by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. Brandon has a great history of hosting local and/or world events and this three-day competition for seniors will be no exception.
While several Rotarians and UCT members have already volunteered their time to work the games, more help is yet needed. If you would like to volunteer in any way, please contact Bea Storm (204-726-5740/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or Phyllis Elliott (204-728-6817/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ). The games will be held Tuesday-Thursday, June 14-16 at locations throughout the city and beyond, such as golfing at Glen Lea just east of Brandon.
The 55 Plus Games is the largest multi-sport event in Manitoba; more than 1,000 athletes from across the province will come to Brandon to participate in 22 different sports. From card games and walking to bowling and baseball, there are competitions for all ages and skill levels. Some games are open while others have play-off events in the 14 different regions of Manitoba, to qualify for competitions which can be general or age specific, such as 55+, 65+, 75+ and 80+.
Host committee chairperson Bernie Chrisp says, “It’s a wonderful honour to be selected as the host city. We know the entire community will look forward to welcoming athletes and visitors to Westman.”
His crew of 16 executive committee members are thrilled to work together to bring the games back to Brandon; this 34th annual event will only be the second time Brandon has hosted and that was back in 1987. Active Living Coalition for Older Adults (ALCOA) co-ordinates the games and is responsible for contacting all senior groups, via their regional representatives, to notify them of registration deadlines, etc.
ALCOA’s executive director Jim Evanchuk says, “We were very impressed with the bid from the Brandon host committee and we are confident that the fine people in Brandon will set the stage for a memorable experience in June 2016. No matter what your age or interest, the 55 Plus Games have something for you!”
Plenty of information about the games can be found on ALCOA’s website, www.alcoamb.org. Registration opened last month and closes in May; as long as you are 55 years of age by Dec. 31 this year, you are eligible to compete in any event. The only sports having play-off games in order to compete are bridge, crib and whist. Games open to all arewalking/running, bowling, golf, arts and crafts, duplicate bridge, floor curling and shuffleboard, horseshoes, lawn bowling, pickleball, scrabble, slo–pitch, snooker, swimming, track and bocce ball. If you plan to participate and will require lodging in the city, you are asked to inform the motel/hotel/B&B you are a games participant. The host committee has worked with Brandon First to secure funding based on number of beds booked for these provincials.
The games have been in operation since 1983 and have grown from 365 athletes to more than 1,600 people participating, at its record-setting year.
