2013 – 55 Plus Alberta Winter Games

CHESTERMERE – The City of Calgary will host the province on the 25th anniversary of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics with the 2013 Alberta 55 Plus Winter Games. Over one thousand participants are expected to compete in 13 activities over the four days. The 55 Plus have both winter and summer games. The entire province participates in both and is divided into 8 regional zones. Chestermere is Zone 2, referred to as Big Country with burgundy as their official colour and represents approximately 99 communities. The boundary for Zone 2 goes up to Olds, south as far as High River and covers the province from B.C. to Saskatchewan. The province wide winter game playoffs began in November, 2012 and went right through to January 2013, ending just before the games on February 13 to 16, 2013.
There are 146 people in total from Zone 2 taking part in the winter games, 34 female and 112 males. This year from Chestermere we have 4 people who are going to compete at the games. Three of them are going into various division of 5 pin bowling and the other participant will play with the 65+ age group on the Calgary squad. Zone 2 held a pep rally on Saturday at the Rec. Centre to provide a briefing on what the participants could expect when they go to the games. In the group attending the event were 4 gold medalists from previous games.
Marilyn Conrad who has been living in Chestermere for 5 years and bowls on a regular basis at Paradise Lanes in Calgary is entered into the 70+ age group and is thrilled to be going to the games.
Sisters Rosie Armes and Diane Pearce also play at Paradise Lanes and are competing in the 5 pin bowling. Pearce will go into the 55+ event while Armes will enter in to the 75+ bowling events. Armes has previous Olympic experience having played in the summer games in the horseshoe competition.
Ross Elgert is a lifelong hockey player, who just happened to retire from his job on February 1st, will be playing on the Calgary 65+ Team for the games.
Events in the winter games include Alpine Skiing, Badminton, 5 Pin Bowling, Bridge (Duplicate), Carpet Bowling, Cross Country Skiing, Darts, Euchre, Hockey, Ice Curling, Pool (Snooker), Scrabble and Table Shuffleboard and in all but the bridge games there are different age categories.
But you know for all of the people competing; it’s not necessarily about bringing home the medals; it’s more about the comradery and making new friends. It’s an entire social happening for 4 days and the participants can’t wait for them to begin. There are the breakfasts, then the lunches and the suppers and all the while mingling with the other participants from around the province. Strong friendships are often created by the friendly competition and socialization.
John and Joan Tullikopf, residents of Three Hills Alberta, have been participating in the games since 1988. Joan started off in the Ball Throw event and even made it to the Canada Games, whereas John was a competitor in Track and Field. He came home from PEI with a Gold medal. They pair have been previously involved in Slo-pitch, Whist, Contract and Duplicate Bridge.
The Games are a recreational event now held every two years, with the goal and objective of providing Albertans, 55 years of age and older, the opportunity to pursue greater levels of physical, social, intellectual and creative achievement through friendly competition and participation; and to enhance a sense of community spirit by bringing Albertans together. As the Alberta 55 Plus President Pat Covington says – participation is what these games are all about; winning a medal is the “Plus”.
The Opening Ceremony is at Canada Olympic Park (COP) on February 13th and all of the completion events are free. The events are held at different locations with the majority at Calgary Winter Club and some at COP, but if you decide to go and cheer on some of the participants in Zone 2, be sure to check the website for up to date information and results.
Visit www.calgary2013games.ca . All the best – to all of you.