A visit to Kamloops this past summer gave 2014 BC Seniors Games president Milt Kruger and his fellow directors a sampling of what the upcoming event will have to offer.
91原创 is hosting the 27th annual Games from Sept. 9-13.
For the 91原创 group, their August 2013 excursion to the Kamloops Games was a sampling of what芒鈧劉s in store when roughly 3,500 athletes will converge on their community for the multi-sport competition.
Kruger spent three full days with 2013 Games president Charlie Bruce.
芒鈧揟he experience was certainly positive,芒鈧� Kruger said. 芒鈧揥e got a sense of the feel and excitement of the Games. The trip was tremendous value. It gave us something clear to work towards.芒鈧�
There are 25 sports included in this year芒鈧劉s Games, and they range from whist and crib to swimming and bowling.
One of those who visited Kamloops was Howie Vickberg, a former 91原创 Township Councillor who is the protocol director with the 2014 Games.
In Kamloops, he focused on the track and field portion, mainly because of his own interest in distance running and athletics.
芒鈧揟hat was really neat,芒鈧� Vickberg said. 芒鈧揑t was very inspiring.芒鈧�
The age for participating athletes is 55-plus.
The 芒鈧損lus芒鈧� part includes athletes as old as their 90s, Vickberg noted.
芒鈧揑t was pretty neat watching folks well in their 70s, 80s, and when it came time for their actual race, or to do what they were doing, it was like a switch went on, and the competitive juices kick in,芒鈧� Vickberg said. 芒鈧揑t was really neat watching the interaction. A lot of these folks have been doing this for a long time. It was like watching a reunion in a sense, as well.芒鈧�
Referring to the 2010 BC Summer Games, and 2013 Special Olympics BC Summer Games, both successfully held in the community, Vickberg said 91原创 has the amenities and dedicated volunteers to be able to handle an event of this magnitude.
芒鈧揥e more than hold our own,芒鈧� he said. 芒鈧揂s a community, 91原创 has really evolved with our sports facilities. The LEC is sort of the culmination of that, but we芒鈧劉ve got McLeod [Athletic] Park and over the years we芒鈧劉ve really added to the facilities in Aldergrove. An event like this is such a great use of what we have.芒鈧�
The push is on for volunteers.
People can register online at 2014bcseniorsgames.org and then clicking on the 芒鈧揷ontact us芒鈧� tab on the right hand side of the screen. They can also drop by the Games office to sign up in person. Located at 20560 Fraser Hwy., the office is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 604-533-8065.
芒鈧揥ithout volunteers, we have nothing,芒鈧� Kruger said.
Games operations manager Shirley Stewart said helpers are needed in a variety of positions.
芒鈧揥e need everything from helping with registrations to sports events, medical, and secretarial duties, to ceremonies, and compiling results,芒鈧� Stewart said.
She estimated that 1,400 to 1,600 volunteers will be needed before, during, and after the Games 芒鈧�� primarily immediately before and during.
芒鈧揥e can do it. This community always comes through,芒鈧� Stewart said. 芒鈧揑f they don芒鈧劉t have time during the summer, that芒鈧劉s okay, they can volunteer for positions during the actual Games,芒鈧� which happen the week after 91原创 Good Times Cruise-In.
芒鈧揥e are open for business now芒鈧� We芒鈧劉d love to have you come in to register and help us out,芒鈧� Stewart said, noting volunteers are also needed to help out ahead of time in the organization of the games.
芒鈧揥e can use your help芒鈧� whatever you芒鈧劉re interested in and capable of giving,芒鈧� she added, 芒鈧揤olunteers can be any age group, as long as they have the time and the ability to held. That芒鈧劉s all we need.芒鈧�
