Participants are being sought to represent Simcoe County during the Ontario 55+ Summer Games.
The games, being held in Peterborough Aug. 9 to 11, will host the province’s most athletic people who are at least 55 years old. Events include card games, bowling, running, pickleball, slo-pitch, swimming, cycling, darts, golf and more.
Larry Carter, the Simcoe County co-ordinator for the games, says qualifying tournaments could be set up in May, but if there isn’t enough interest, any participants who are willing to compete may be sent to the games.
The games, which have been around since 1982, are a way to keep Ontarians active, and Carter said that in Simcoe County, seniors are known to be fairly active, including those in Orillia.
“There are a lot of seniors right now playing pickleball out at ODAS Park,” he said. “There are people at Rotary Place doing carpet bowling and floor shuffleboard. There are a number of people playing sports such as cards, darts and pool at the Legion, too.”
Carter, 65, says Orillia is a good place for local athletes to stay active into their senior years. He is a triathlete who used to swim at the Orillia YMCA before it closed its doors and he now swims often in Lake Couchiching.
The new recreation centre and Rotary Place also provide opportunities for seniors to stay active.
“I look forward to using the new rec centre for swimming,” he said. “Right now, my mission is to let people know about events and trying to get people interested.”
The Park Street Collegiate Institute graduate encourages all seniors to try their luck at their favourite games and sports this summer.
“Being active is one of the most important things for seniors,” he said. “Anything that can get people involved and active is important.”
To participate in the games or to help volunteer with the Simcoe County teams, email Carter at [email protected].
Here is a full list of the events that are slated to take place at the Ontario 55+ Summer Games:
- Euchre
- Bid euchre
- Contract bridge
- Cribbage
- 5-pin bowling - teams
- 5-pin bowling - singles - women
- 5-pin bowling - singles - men
- Carpet bowling
- Floor shuffleboard
- Golf - men
- Golf - women
- Walking - prediction men
- Walking - Nordic men
- Walking - prediction women
- Walking - Nordic women
- Run - prediction men 55+
- Run - prediction women 55+
- Pickleball - men 55+
- Pickleball - men 65+
- Pickleball - women 55+
- Pickleball - women 65+
- Pickleball - mixed 55+
- Pickleball - mixed 65+
- Slo-pitch - competitive
- Slo-pitch - recreational
- Cycling - prediction 5k women 55+
- Cycling - prediction 5k men 55+
- Cycling - time trial women 55+
- Cycling - time trial 10k men 55+
- Cycling - time trial 10k women 65+
- Cycling - time trial 10k men 65+
- Billiards - 8 ball - men 55+
- Billiards - 8 ball - women 55+
- Bocce
- Darts - men
- Darts - women
- Darts - mixed
- Lawn bowling - doubles
- Lawn bowling - triples
- Tennis - men 55+
- Tennis - women 55+
- Tennis - men 65+
- Tennis - women 65+
- Tennis - mixed 55+
- Tennis - mixed 65+
- Swimming prediction women 55+
- Swimming prediction men 55+
- Swimming prediction women 65+
- Swimming prediction men 65+
- Swimming open sprint women 55+
- Swimming open sprint men 55+
- Swimming open sprint women 65+
- Swimming open sprint men 65+
- Swimming open sprint women 75+
- Swimming open sprint men 75+
- Swimming four sprint competition women 55+
- Swimming four sprint competition men 55+
- Swimming four sprint competition women 65+
- Swimming four sprint competition men 65+
- Swimming four sprint competition women 75+
- Swimming four sprint competition men 75+
