Right around the corner comes the B.C. Seniors Games West Kootenay 2011
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By Bruce Fuhr
The Nelson Daily Sports
It’s T-minus . . . well, its getting real close.
After months of planning the B.C. Seniors Games West Kootenay 2011 is ready for lift off.
“It’s all progressing very well,” B.C. Seniors Games West Kootenay 2011 president Pat Metge told The Nelson Daily Thursday from “One Stop Shopping” scene at the Castlegar Complex.
Chairs of each of the sports were in the Sunflower City between 3 – 8 p.m. to pick up equipment for each of the sports.
“We’re expecting 2,950 athletes and 350 non-athletes for the games so we’re really excited,” added Metge.
The 2011 B.C. Senior Games are a joint venture between three West Kootenay Cities — Castlegar, Trail and Nelson.
Organizers began in 2010 when the committee was struck and organizers attended last year’s games in Campbell River.
“We started with a theme of “three cities, one goal” and I’ve been very impressed with the commitments of everyone involved,” Metge explained.
“Everyone has come together, working as a unit. We have a board of 20 people from all three communities that has been very cohesive and it’s been a pleasure to be part of.”
The games are made up of 20 events from slopitch to golf and dragon boat racing to cribbage.
Castlegar is home to horseshoes, badminton, carpet bowling, equestrian, floor curling, golf, slopitch, soccer, tennis and whist.
Nelson events are bridge at Hume Elementary, cribbage at Central (DESK) Elementary, cycling, dragon boat racing at Lakeside Park, ice hockey at the NDCC Arena, one-act plays at Capitol Theatre and table tennis at L.V. Rogers.
Trail has track and field at Haley Park in Warfield, archery, bocce, darts, five-pin bowling, golf, curling, and ice hockey at the Memorial Centre, pickle ball, swimming and tennis.
Metge said more than 1600 people have volunteered for the five-day event, beginning Tuesday with opening ceremonies at Haley Park in Warfield and concluding with closing of the games Saturday at 1:30 at the Castlegar Complex, site of the Games’ torch.
“I think Trail needs some volunteers for swimming, Castlegar still has openings for courtesy car drivers while Nelson appears to be good,” said Metge.
Normally the B.C. Seniors Games are held during the cooler month of September.
However, organizers of the B.C. Seniors Games West Kootenay 2011 petitioned the provincial body to host the competition in August.
But with August comes warmer summer temperatures recently experienced in the southern interior, which has organizers a little concerned.
“We’ve emphasized on our website and the B.C. website the importance of water and athletes should be prepared for warm weather and take precautions during the games,” said Metge.
“We also have flats of water at each of the venues thanks to the Salvation Army and emergency medical services as well.”
Now that most of the organizing is complete, Metge is looking forward to rolling out the red carpet to the rest of the province.
“We’re just hoping the weather holds and showing off the West Kootenays.”
sports@thenelsondaily.com
Click on the documents below for a complete schedule of the events, as well as community-specific schedules.
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