Seniors across the province will have a chance to show off their mental and physical skills with this summer’s Saskatchewan Seniors Fitness Association 55+ Games.
The three day event runs from June 14-16, and will be held at various venues throughout the city of Prince Albert, with 13 different competitions taking place.
“The City of Prince Albert started this whole event,” Games Manager Felix Casavant said. “They put in the initial bid to host the Games. Once they were awarded the Games, that’s when I got on board. The committee was formed after that, and it’s still in place today. We wanted to host it in 2020, but that’s when the pandemic had just hit.”
Casavant and the rest of the committee had tried to host the event once again in 2021, but COVID-19 put an abrupt halt to those plans as well. Now, with all of the restrictions lifted and people able to enjoy their every day lives again, he says this will be a great opportunity for seniors in the city to enjoy a nice few days out of the house.
There is a competitive side to the Games, too. There are eight districts across the province, and a winner from each district will be sent to the provincial games. The winner of the provincial contest will travel to Kamloops, B.C. for the Canada Senior Games in July.
For the people who don’t want to compete competitively, Casavant encourages seniors to still register. He says the event puts a lot of focus on seniors meeting new people and just having fun.
“That’s the big thing, the social interaction,” Casavant said. “It’s about meeting new people and just getting out and being active. Whether that’s being physically active or using your mind. The biggest thing with this event is just about the interaction with others and just getting seniors involved, and keeping them fit mentally and physically.”
The events:
Five pin bowling, contract bridge, darts, cribbage, bank shuffleboard, golf, 8-ball pool, slo-pitch, swimming, Kaiser, track and field, pickle ball, and poetry and short story writing.
“We’re hoping from anywhere from 400 to 600 people across the province to register,” Casavant said. “I know seniors might be a little hesitant with the pandemic, but we want to stress that it’s a really good opportunity for seniors to come out and enjoy the Games and meet new people.
“It’s not just the Games, either. We have a beautiful banquet planned as a part of this event with a live band. There will be dancing and polka music and just old time music for them. It’s going to be a fun event right from the opening ceremony to the closing ceremony. We just encourage everyone to come out.”
The registration deadline is on May 13. You can register online at ssfa.ca.
@kyle_kosowan•sports@paherald.sk.ca