KAMLOOPS — Opening ceremonies were held in Saint John, New Brunswick this morning for the Canada 55-Plus Games.
The occasion was used to also announce that in two years, the 2020 games will be in Kamloops.
The national games for the seniors set 55-and-over include everything from the physical challenge of ice hockey to the more mind-bending endeavours like scrabble, whist and duplicate bridge — and will be a first for B.C.
“These games have actually never been in B.C. before,” says Tournament Capital Community Event Coordinator Audrey Trim. “About three years ago the B.C. Seniors Games Association joined the Canada Senior Games Association, so we were eligible to bid on the Canada 55+ Games.”
All of the provinces and territories compete with approximately 2500 athletes taking part in 23 to 26 sports over four days two years from now in 2020.
Kamloops beat out some other big players from the west in winning the host bid – including Calgary, Fort McMurray and Whitehorse.
As it is with every event like this, it’s a major economic generator from a segment of the population always looking to explore a new experience.
“People in that age category have free time, and they have disposable income,” says Trim. “So they’re looking for something to fill their time up and stay active for life. They enjoy the active lifestyle that comes along with it and the social component as well — being able to travel around the country and do stuff like that.”
Being that it’s the first time in B.C. we’re a part of history right now,” says Trim. “These are the types of athletes that come in, they come before the event, they tour around. They spend extra money, so it will be a real economic generator.
