The fact the 2014 BC Seniors Games is a half a year away didn芒鈧劉t stop the host community from having a kick-off party last weekend.
91原创 is welcoming more than 3,500 athletes ages 55-plus from across the province for the multi-sport competition taking place Sept. 9-13.
On Saturday afternoon an event introducing invited guests to the Games was held at the at the 91原创 Seniors Resource Centre.
The afternoon also served as a thank-you to the 芒鈧揊riends of the Games,芒鈧� businesses, organizations, and volunteer partners who are donating their time and money to make the event a success.
The celebration included refreshments, carpet bowling and table tennis demonstrations, and guest speakers including Sheila Lanktree, who partnered with Bill Pike to win silver in their cribbage flight at the 2013 Games that ran Aug. 20 to 24 in Kamoops.
芒鈧揑 was treating the whole experience in a rather blase manner,芒鈧� Lanktree recalled.
Then she attended the opening ceremonies where 3,700 participants from 15 zones from across B.C. 芒鈧搈arched into the centre with great fanfare, Lanktree said.
芒鈧揂nd at the end [1968 Olympic alpine skiing champion] Nancy Greene Raine jogged in, carrying the torch to light the flame for our Games,芒鈧� she shared. 芒鈧揟his whole opening ceremony was so impressive.芒鈧�
Lanktree realized then that the BC Seniors Games is a huge event for seniors, and an equally huge undertaking for the event芒鈧劉s organizers and volunteers.
Lanktree and Pike were among 100 cribbage participants involved in fiveflights at the Kamloops Games.
She said that she and her partner were presented with their medals during a formal ceremony.
芒鈧揑t was very official, we were presented with our medals, and it just felt so good,芒鈧� she said.
There are 25 sports included in this year芒鈧劉s 27th annual Games, and they range from whist and crib to swimming and bowling.
Lanktree hopes to experience the Games again, 芒鈧揾opefully as a competitor or, if not, a volunteer.芒鈧�
Helpers wanted
The push continues for volunteers.
People can register online at 2014bcseniorsgames.org and by 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.
