If local parks, community centres, running tracks and sport courts are crowded with adults of a certain age — folks who may have grown up listening to, say, Elvis or the Beatles — there's a good reason.
These mature (aged 55 and older) athletes are getting ready for the Coquitlam 2016 55+ BC Games taking place at Coquitlam venues in September and they want to bring home the gold for their city.
They are folks like Roger Skinner, sport chair for lawn bowling for the games, whose Coquitlam Lawn Bowling club members took home bronze last year in North Vancouver.
"We can do better," Skinner joked as he set up the field of play at the lawn bowling court next to Dogwood Pavilion and explained the game.
TRY OUT A SPORT
"It a great game for all ages," he said, showing how the large brown balls with a leathery feel are weighted on one side so they will curl to advance on the smaller white ball, called a "jack" or a "kitty."
The game looks easy but it takes good knees to get into the proper stance, keen eyes and a steady hand as three newbies to the game found out Wednesday.
Pat Meyers, director of promotion for the games, Helga Ovington, city of Coquitlam liaison to the games, and Philip Jewell, director of protocol all tried their hand at rolling the ball.
The trio are among a large group of people working on getting the games up and running for what is expected to be one of the marquee events for Coquitlam's 125th birthday year.
Slated for Sept. 20 to 24, the games will bring 4,000 athletes to the city from around the province to participate in 22 sports and activities — and bringing in an estimated $3 million in economic spin-offs.
"It's a demographic that's growing," Meyers said of athletes who are 55 years and older but still want to compete.
PICKLE BALL POPULAR
Among the growing sports are pickle ball, which is a cross between badminton, tennis and ping pong, and dragon boating. But many traditional Olympic sports, such as track and field, will also be part of the games, along with bowling, golf and popular card games, such as cribbage and bridge, and other events.
"It's like a mini Olympics," said Ovington, who is organizing a series of Try-It events for the community to experience various sports to help them adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Next weekend, on April 9, at a community awareness event at 640 Poirier St., people can try out lawn bowing, with more opportunities still to try archery, golf, dragon boat racing, and slo-pitch, and a number of other spring sports.
Meyers said enthusiasm is building for the games. "We're way ahead of schedule," he said but noted that help is still needed and volunteers are being sought to fill out various roles. To find out more and to volunteer, attend the community awareness event or visit www.55plusgames.ca.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
You can attend the Coquitlam 2016 55+ BC Games community awareness event Saturday, April 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 640 Poirier St. (the parking lot across from the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex). Learn about the games, pick up gear, sign up to volunteer, enjoy a barbecue hosted by the Kinsmen, balloon making and face painting for the kids, Diamond Bull Karaoke and Tony Prophet, MC and entertainer.
Opening ceremonies will be at 2 p.m. and visitors can also try lawn bowling from 3 to 4 p.m. during a "Try-It" event hosted by the city to familiarize people with some of the sports that will be featured at the games, which will take place Sept. 20 to 24.
GET INVOLVED
Volunteers are needed for everything from the torch lighting event to the opening ceremonies to media and athlete accreditation and traffic control. Those interested in volunteering should register as soon as possible at www.55plusgames.ca/volunteer.
ARE YOU AN ATHLETE?
There are 12 zones for the 55+ BC Games. Coquitlam participants register in Zone 3. Each zone will have deadlines to compete and qualify, so register early. Visit bcseniorsgames.org or phone 778-426-2940.
SPONSORS NEEDED
If you or your business is interested in becoming a 55+ BC Games sponsor, email fog2016@55plusgames.ca.
