City Seeking Volunteers for 55 plus Winter Games in 2019

 The Alberta 55 plus Winter Games are coming to Cold Lake in 2019 and the city is looking for people who can help make the games a success for all involved.

“We’re very excited to host the Alberta 55 plus Winter Games,” said Mayor Craig Copeland. “With up to 1,500 participants, it’s a great way to showcase the community and give back to Alberta’s seniors.”

The games are hosted on a pay-to-play format, with athletes providing for their own entrance fees, transportation, and accommodations. The format allows for the games to be hosted without the large cash contribution that is often needed for similar events.

The games are typically held over three days, with two days of competition. As host, the City of Cold Lake has been asked to contribute by helping to provide the needed facilities, volunteers, coordinating opening and closing ceremonies, and hosting a banquet for the participants.

“What we really need now are volunteers to come forward,” said Copeland. “If anyone is interested in helping out, no matter the task or their experience level, we want to start making a list of people we can contact. We want to establish an organizing committee as soon as possible.”

Those interested in volunteering for the Games can email city@coldalke.com with their name, phone number, previous volunteer experience (if any), and what kind of tasks they would be interested in helping out with.

“We are thrilled that Cold Lake has stepped up to host the 2019 Alberta 55 plus Winter Games,” said Wayne Davies, President of Alberta 55 plus Seniors Sport and Recreation Association. “This is a great chance for our member athletes to compete in a beautiful part of our province and we look forward to working with our host to make sure the games are a success for all.”

Activities involved in the Alberta 55 plus Winter Games include: alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, badminton, pickleball, bowling (five pin), bridge – duplicate, carpet bowling, darts, euchre, ice hockey, ice curling, pool (snooker), scrabble, floor shuffleboard, as well as arts, crafts, creative writing, and photography.

More information on the games in Cold Lake will be released at a future date. To learn more about Alberta 55 plus games, visit http://alberta55plus.ca/