Drumheller athletes are gearing up for the Alberta 55 plus Edmonton Winter Provincial Games slated for early April.
The Alberta 55 plus games is the only multi-sport Association in Alberta, offering over 30 sports. Following many challenges associated with COVID 19, they are eagerly anticipating the Games with expectations of more than 800 participants from 8 zones. All 8 zones have held qualifying events in 17 activities sports to determine their team to advance to the Provincial games.
There was enthusiastic participation in the qualifiers as individuals were eager to return to their activity of choice.
Drumheller is in Zone 2 known as Big Country Senior Sports Society. The zone stretches across the province, from the Saskatchewan border to the B.C. border, north to Sundre and south to High River, excluding the City of Calgary. Zone 2 will be sending 135 individuals to the Winter Games.
The skiing events (Alpine and Cross Country) were held on February 7 and 8, 2022 – in advance of the full games to ensure good snow conditions.
Will Andries and Art Atkinson of Three Hills had Creative Writing entries advance to the Provincial competition.
For the first time, Zone 2 is thrilled to have a Lady’s Hockey team in the Provincial Games and particularly to have two individuals from Drumheller on the team.
“I will have to make sure I get to the arena to watch Karen McMillan and Alison Ostergard join their teammates from Banff, Canmore, Cochrane, Blackie and Chestermere in their games,” said Zone 2 president Linda Traquair.
Zone 2 has entered three men’s hockey teams participating (60+ 65+, and 70+ with Gary Meers from Acadia Valley playing on the 65+ team.
Seven ice curling teams (doubles, mens, womens and mixed) will be participating, Unfortunately there were no entries from the Valley. This was the first year for the event of Sturling in the Provincial games. A great sport for seniors, two members to a team with no sweeping. Zone 2 will be sending four teams from Strathmore, Airdrie and Cochrane.
Drumheller was well represented in the game of Pickleball with over half of the 18 spots filled by Drumheller players. They include Duane Bolin, Laurie Bolin, Rob Thomas, Corinne Gerling, Irv Gerling, Ian Jones, and Maryruth Guenter of Three Hills.
Cal Werner of Hanna and Jon Hanson of Three Hills will represent Zone 2 in Snooker, qualifying in a tournament at the Pioneer Trail Seniors Centre.
Drumheller fared well in 5 pin bowling as well. The 65+ team event will feature Sandra Irwin, Wendy Sisson, Tillie Llewellyn, Debbie Laplante and Carol McLean. Remie Defoor, Margaret Nielsen and Darryl Saboe from Drumheller will be joined by Anne and Robert Wahlund to form the 75+ team. Linda Traquair will play in the scratch event.
Immediately following the Edmonton Games in April, Zone athletes must complete the qualifiers for the Peace River Provincial Summer Games to be held mid June 2022. Games including crib, floor shuffleboard, military whist, pickleball, slo-pitch, swimming, track and field and contract bridge are just some of the events to be completed by the end of April.
The Canada Seniors Games are scheduled for August 2022 in
Kamloops, B.C. At the 2018 Canada Senior games held in St. Johns. N. B. , Alberta had the largest team and placed second in medals. Team Alberta 2022 will be made up of winners / alternates from the Edmonton Provincial Winter Games and the Peace River Provincial Summer Games.
Interested in more information about Alberta 55 plus, contact Linda Traquair at ltraquair@shaw.ca.