Gil Dunn has reported from Brampton.
Ernie Hudson has checked in from Ancaster.
Calling in from North York, Ilse Verwey is right on top of things.
And to the east, out of Port Hope, Ruth Clarke Centre says that plans are going swimmingly.
Dunn, Hudson and the others are all volunteer coordinators, secretaries or otherwise involved in running district Senior Games this year. Ontario is divided into 40 regions, each of which is entitled to hold district games this spring, with winners eligible to move on to the 2010 Ontario Senior Games - Actifest, to take place in Oshawa Aug. 10 to 12.
As the media sponsor of Actifest, with a 2010 self-imposed mandate to promote active living among seniors in conjunction with our 25th anniversary this year, Forever Young has endeavoured to contact organizers in each of the 40 districts to obtain contact, event and scheduling information for the Games in each district. The information will be posted at foreveryoungnews.com, to be followed up by results and then a preview and coverage of Actifest in August.
Alas, our efforts have not always borne fruit. According to the North Bay Parks and Recreation department, there is nothing going on in the way of planning district Summer Games. Other districts have active committees but are undergoing changes in volunteer leadership.
And then there are the stalwart volunteer coordinators who run their district Games like clockwork.
Gil Dunn took over as coordinator of the Brampton (district 19) Summer Games in January when the incumbent stepped down but he's a veteran of the movement, having been assistant coordinator of the Winter Games for three years. Planning for Brampton's Summer Games is proceeding smartly, Dunn reports, with events scheduled for April 17 to 29.
Over in the Wentworth region near Hamilton, district 22 Summer Games coordinator Ernie Hudson and his organizing committee really have their act together. They had their events planned and registration information confirmed by Dec. 1. Hudson, 65, is a retired school teacher who competes in both winter and summer senior games, goes to the gym three or four times and week and is involved in a cycling group. Says Hudson, "I firmly believe in keeping active" and in doing so, "I've met a lot of nice people who have similar interests."
In North York, coordinator Helen Trainor and PR coodinator Ilse Verwey have got scheduling down right down to starting times. Looking to participate in, say, lawn bowling? That goes Thursday, May 27 and Tuesday, June 1 at the Willowdale Lawn Club. They've even got a rain date arranged.
Meanwhile, plans are in place for district 12, covering Northumberland, Peterborough and Victoria. County games will take place in May, followed by district games in June, reports Ruth Clarke Centre. Registration forms will be available at libraries, senior centres, legions and the event venues themselves by early March.
Participants and organizers should keep checking foreveryoungnews.com on a daily basis for updates on a district by district basis.
District scheduling information and contacts for districts that have reported so far are as follows (districts are listed in alphabetical order). See ontarioseniorgames.ca to learn more. To submit information, email dwall@metroland.com.
#19 Brampton
The Brampton Senior games will take place from April 17 to May 29. Events will take place as follows:
5-Pin Bowling (Mon. April 26)
10-Pin Bowling (Tues. April 27) Recreational
Badminton (Sun. April 18) Recreational
Bid Euchre (Thurs. May 6)
Bocce (Sat. May 15)
Carpet Bowling (Wed. June 2)
Contract Bridge (Mon. May 3)
Cribbage (Mon. May 10)
Cycling (Sun. April 25) Recreational
Darts (Tues. May 25)
Dominos (Mon. May 24) Recreational
Euchre (Mon. May 17)
Golf (Wed. May 26)
Horseshoes (Mon. May 24)
Lawn Bowling (Sat. May 29)
Nordic Walking (Sat. April 24)
Pickelball (Sat. April 17)
Shuffleboard (Wed. May 12)
Slow Pitch (Sat. May 8)
Snooker (Wed. May 19) Recreational
Sweep (Asian Card Game)(Sat. May 22) Recreational
Swimming (Thurs. May 27)
Table Tennis (Thurs. May 13) Recreational
Tennis, Ladies Doubles (Tues. May 25)
Tennis, Mens Doubles (Tues. May 18)
Tennis, Mixed Doubles(Fri. May 28)
Volleyball (Sat. May 1) Recreational
Walking (Thurs. May 20)
There are 18 sanctioned events and 8 non sanctioned events for a total of
26 events.
For more information, contact Gil Dunn at gd.mathman@rogers.com.
# 25 Brant/Haldimand/Norfolk
Organizers for Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk District #25 will be hosting summer qualifying games in the month of May.
As with the other districts, top qualifiers will have the opportunity to compete at the next level in the Ontario Senior Games – Actifest.
BHN games will be held throughout Brant County, Brantford, Caledonia, Dunnville, Hagersville, Ohsweken, Paris, Port Dover, Simcoe, Six Nations and other communities within the district.
Registration forms will be available in the new year at the Senior Recreation and Community Centres in each of these communities. As well, the document will be posted on the City of Brantford website for participants to print off. The executive committee also takes the initiative to send out the registration package to the previous year’s participants so they have the chance to register and speak with friends about participating too.
Among the facilities where registration packages could be picked up will be: Beckett Adult Leisure Centre, Brantford; Syl Apps Community Centre, Paris; Friendship Centre/Hagersville Legion, Hagersville; Simcoe Seniors Centre, Simcoe; Caledonia Seniors Friendly Club, Caledonia; Six Nations Community Hall, Ohsweken.
Events that will be held in BHN District are: 9 Ball and Snooker, Bid Euchre – 4 Handed Bid Euchre, 6 Handed Bid Euchre, Euchre; Crokinole, Cribbage, Carpet Bowling, Darts; Contract Bridge, Hoss; Scrabble, Shuffleboard; Lawn Bowling, 5 Pin Bowling; 18 Hole golf, Mini Golf; 1k and 3k Walking.
For more information, contact kvaltenbergs@brantford.ca.
# 27 Bruce Grey Counties
Look for information on District 27, Bruce Grey Counties, in February. For more information contact Mike Eadie, recreation supervisor, Municipality of Kincardine, phone 519-396-3491, recsupervisor@bmts.com.
# 33A Chatham-Kent
Chatham-Kent District 33A will be hosting its senior games from April to June.
Chatham-Kent's qualifying games will be held throughout Chatham, Blenheim, Tilbury, Wheatley, Merlin, Thamesville, Ridgetown, Morpeth, Pain Court and Wallaceburg.
Registrations forms will be available in the new year at Riverview Gardens, Blenheim and Community Senior Citizens Group, Active Lifestyle Centre, Merlin Senior Citizens Friendship Club, Morpeth Heritage Club, Le Club de l'Amitie, Ridgetown and Area Adult Activity Centre, Thamesville Happy Club, Tilbury Leisure Hours, Wallaceburg Senior Citizens Club, and Wheatley and District Friendship Club, and on-line after March.
Registration fees are to be announced.
Events to be held: Bid Euchre, Carpet Bowling, Contract Bridge, Cribbage, Darts, Euchre, 5 Pin Bowling, Floor Shuffleboard, Golf, Horseshoes, Lawn Bowling, Pickleball, Slo-Pitch, Tennis, Walking.
For more information: Deana Lee Ross, Chatham-Kent Senior Games District Coordinator, 2011 South Western Ontario Regional Senior Games, Senior Services, Riverview Gardens Long-Term Care Home, Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Phone: 519-352-4823 ext.6119, cell: 519-365-3067; district33a@ontarioseniorgames.ca; deanar@chatham-kent.ca; chatham-kent.ca.
# 2 Cochrane
# 1A Dryden/Fort Frances/Kenora
# 13 Durham
District 13 of the Ontario Senior Games has announced the dates of its competitions.
The District 13 Games will be held in various municipalities in the Durham Region from Apr.26 to June 26.
District 13 games will include Bid Euchre, Bocce, Carpet Bowling, Contract Bridge, Cribbage, Darts, Euchre, Five Pin Bowling, Floor Shuffleboard, Golf, Horseshoes, Lawn Bowling, Slo-Pitch, Tennis, and Pickleball. Other events will be held in the fall.
Information booklets and registration forms will be available in mid-March at local senior centres, Legions and other locations throughout the Durham Region. The basic registration fee for all events is $8. Additional events have a reduced fee. Those requiring a lunch are an additional $5 and some have facility fees as well (i.e. green fees). Visit foreveryoungnews.com and durhamseniorgames.com for event schedules. For more District 13 information, contact: Ruth Vdovich 905 666-9067 district13@ontarioseniorgames.ca.
District 13 is comprised of the municipalities of Clarington, Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax and Pickering in the south and the Townships of Brock, Uxbridge and Scugog.
# 3A Elliot Lake
# 17 Etobicoke
# 10 Frontenac/Hastings/Lennox&Addington/Prince Edward
# 11 Haliburton/Muskoka
Organizers for the Haliburton/Muskoka district games include Peter O'Connor, Doug McIntosh and Jack Virgin. Final details regarding sports and convenors are currently being organized. Besides this website, event information will also appear at county.halilburton.on.ca. For more information, call regional coordinator Peter O'Connor at 705-455-9723 or email poconnor11@sympatico.ca.
# 21 Halton
# 23 Hamilton
# 29 Huron/Perth/Middlesex
# 33 Lambton
# 9 Lenark/Leeds/Grenville
Ken Johnston is the Leeds, Lanark, Grenville/District 9 coordinator this year. Information on Summer Games events will be available soon.
# 30 London
London District 30 will be hosting its Summer Games in the months of May and June.
District 30 games will be held throughout London at community centres, retirement homes and private clubs and legions.
Registration forms will be available in April at the various centres throughout London. In March, there will also be a mass mailing to participants from the past two summer games through both mail and e-mail where two registrations forms are mailed out – former competitors are encouraged to bring a friend. As well, the registration document will be posted on the London Senior Games website as a pdf file for participants to print off. Games details are also on the website at londonseniorgames.com.
Among the places where registration packages could be picked up are: North London Optimist Community Centre; Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre; Victory Legion; Byron Legion; Duchess of Kent Legion; Amica Retirement Home; Longworth Retirement Home; Chartwell Riverside Retirement Residence; Kiwanis Senior Centre; Hamilton Road Senior Centre; South London Senior Centre.
Events that will be held in District 30 are: Bid Euchre, 4 Handed, Bocce, Carpet Bowling, Contract Bridge, Cribbage, Cycling Prediction and Timed Race, Darts, Euchre, 5 Pin Bowling, Floor Shuffleboard, 18 Hole golf, 9 Hole golf and Mini Golf, Horseshoes, Lawn Bowling, Pickleball, Slo-Pitch, Swimming Prediction, Speed and Overall Event Tennis, Triathlon, Walking – 1k, 2k and 3k plus Prediction, 1600m, Nordic Walking.
For information, contact John Slavin, District Co-ordinator, London Senior Games through email at john.slavin@sympatico.ca or 519-686-9926.
# 20 Mississauga
Mississauga’s Senior Games committee will be meeting in February to set up a timetable for 2010. For more information keep visiting this website or email Joyce Bradley, Mississauga district coordinator, at jbradley@pathcom.com.
# 24 Niagara Region
# 4 Nipissing/Parry Sound
There is apparently no working group organizing Summer Games for Nipissing/Parry Sound, according to the North Bay department of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services.
# 19A North Peel/ Dufferin
# 7A - North Lanark
# 15 North York
District 15, North York, will hold its Senior Games during April, May and June, offering 18 events specially geared to older adults who turn 55 by Dec. 31, 2010. Most active games have three age groups: 55-plus, 65-plus and 75-plus. Scheduling is as follows, with the event coordinator listed at the end:
• Badminton, Wednesday May 5, 6.30 pm, Mitchell Field Community Centre, Helen Trainor
• Bid-Euchre, Friday May 7, 12.30 pm, Broadlands Community Centre, Vera Thornton
• Bocce, Wednesday April 14, 9.30 am, Greenlong Community Centre, Mike Pistilli
• Bowling 5 pin, Tuesday May 4, 10 am, North Park Bowl, Gerry Coombs
• Bowling 10 pin, Friday May 14, 11 am, Playtime Bowl, Joe Aye
• Carpet Bowling, Monday May 20, 9.30 am, Edithvale Community Centre, Al Hunter
• Chess, Tuesday May 25, 7 pm, Earl Bales Community Centre, Fred Kormandi
• Contract Bridge, Tuesday April 27, 12.30 pm, North York Senior Centre, Heather McCarthy
• Cribbage, Thursday May 6, 1 pm, Broadlands Community Centre, Vera Thornton
• Duplicate Bridge, Wednesday April 21, 12.30 pm, North York Seniors Centre, Heather McCarthy
• Euchre, Tuesday May 18, 1 pm Edithvale Community Centre, Vera Thornton
• Golf, Monday June 7, 9 am, Humber Valley Golf Club, Ivan Currie
• Lawn Bowling, Thursday May 27, 9.30 am, Mx 2, Willowdale Lawn Club, Emma Varga
• Lawn Bowling, Tuesday June 1, 9.30 am, Mx3, Willowdale Lawn Club, Emma Varga; Rain Date, Tuesday June 3, 9.30 am
• Swimming, Tuesday April 27, 2 pm, Cummer Community Centre, Kathy Silbert
• Table Tennis, Tuesday and Thursday May 4-6, 3-6 pm, North York Seniors Centre, George Crhak
• Walking and Nordic, Friday May 28, 9 am, Cardiac Rehab Centre, Kathy Silbert
• Pickle Ball (new), TBA, demonstration and competition, Mitchell Field Community Centre, Mary Lee
• Walking and Swimming offer a prediction event which means own time and own speed.
Telephone numbers and some pre-registration will be listed for all convenors in brochures that will be available mid March in all North York libraries, community centres and sports clubs.
The gold medalists will be eligible to compete in Actifest in Oshawa.
For information contact Ilse Verwey, publicity director, 416-444-3670.
# 12 Northumberland/Victoria/Peterborough
The committee members for District 12 are completing their schedules for the 2010 games to be held in May and June. (County games in May, followed by District games in June.) Top qualifiers will have the opportunity to compete at the Provincial level in August at Actifest. Registration forms in all levels will be available at libraries, senior centres, legions and venues for games by early March.
Events to be held: Bid Euchre, Carpet Bowling, Contract Bridge, Cribbage, Darts, Euchre, 5pin bowling, Shuffleboard, Golf, Horseshoes, Lawn Bowling, Pickeball, Slo-Pitch, Tennis, Walking, Swimming, Bocce.
For more information, Ruth Clarke Centre (Port Hope) 905-885-2228; Roy Bangs 905-342-5601; Walter Artymko 705-740-0069 (Peterborough)l Elaine Akey 705-743-1858 (Peterborough).
Email ruthclarkecentre@porthope.ca.
# 6 Ottawa East
District 6 of the Ontario Senior Games Association has announced the dates of competitions this spring.
The District 6 games will be run from May 11 to 31. The boundaries for District 6 are City of Ottawa east of the Rideau Canal/River.
Gold Medal winners in the Ottawa East District 6 games will have the opportunity to participate in the Ontario Senior Games – Actifest to be held in August 2010 in Oshawa.
District 6 games will include, Bid Euchre, Carpet Bowling, Contract Bridge, Cribbage, Darts, Euchre, Golf, Horseshoes, Shuffleboard and Prediction Walking.
District Coordinator Lynn Miller indicates that if the organizers receive requests for Bocce, Lawn Bowling, 5-Pin Bowling, Slo-pitch, Swimming (individual medley and prediction) and Tennis, they will also offer those events.
Registration forms for the games will be available in the New Year and may be picked up from Cumberland Seniors Club, Gloucester Senior Centre, Gloucester South Senior Centre, Roy G. Hobbs Senior Club, Centre Pauline Charron, and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 632 Seniors Club.
This year the cost will be $20 and participants may play in more than one event. The closing luncheon is included in the cost. Where additional fees are required such as Golf and Five Pin Bowling, this will be clearly indicated on the registration form and payable at the event location.
For additional District 6 information contact John Heyden at 613-824-0903.
# 7 Ottawa West
# 31 Oxford/Elgin
Oxford/Elgin, District 31 of the Ontario Senior Games, will be holding its regional games between April 13 and June 12.
Registration forms for the games will be available at all senior
centres and other locations within the district in late January. This
year, registration for the first event will remain the same as 2009 at
$10 and additional events $1 each. Bowling and golf have extra costs
that are identified on the registration form.
Individual event schedules and contact information are as follows:
• Darts, Aylmer, April 13, Sean Boussen, 519-773-3227
• 5-Pin Bowling, St. Thomas, April 15, Lois Tillotson, 519-637-8781
• Contract Bridge, Dutton, April 15, Ruth Hockin, 519-762-2421
• 10-Pin Bowling, St. Thomas, April 20, Jack Nelson, 519-631-4948
• Duplicate Bridge, St. Thomas, April 22, Tom Smith, 519-637-0267
• Bid Euchre 6-Handed, St. Thomas, April 28, Ron Hillman, 519-633-0965
• Euchre, Rodney, May 4, Gary Neil, 519-785-1427
• Floor Shuffleboard, Aylmer, May 5, Marjorie Rimnyak, 519-773-2965
• Cribbage, Aylmer, May 11, Marjorie Rimnyak, 519-773-2965
• Bid Euchre 4-Handed, Tillsonburg, May 18, Phil Malcolm, 519-842-3546
• Carpet Bowling, St. Thomas, May 20, Chuck Knapp, 519-631-7723
• Lawn Bowling, Aylmer, May 26, Teake Veenstra, 519-633-0438
• Prediction Walking, Ingersoll, May 27, Kim Bidwell, 519-485-3869
• Golf, Tillsonburg, May 27, Phil Malcolm, 519-842-3546
• Cycling, Tillsonburg, June 3, Phil Malcolm, 519-842-3546
• Co-ed Slow Pitch, Ingersoll, June 12, Kim Bidwell , 519-485-3869
For more District 31 - Oxford/Elgin information, contact Bob Hales, coordinator, phone 519-762-6154, robertwhales@aol.com.
# 5 Renfrew
The District 5 competition date will be June 10 in Petawawa, ending in a banquet for all participants and medals are awarded at this time.
The gold medal winners from these games will be eligible to participate in the Ontario Senior Games Association Actifest, to be held in August in Oshawa.
District 5 includes the Town of Arnprior, Deep River, City of Pembroke, Petawawa and Renfrew plus the municipalities of Admaston/Bromley; Bonnechere Valley; Brudenell, Lyndock and Raglan; Greater Madawaska; Head, Clara and Marie; Horton; Killaloe, Haggerty and Richards; Laurentian Hills; Laurentian Valley; Madawaska Valley; McNab/Braeside; North Algoma Wilberforce; and Whitewater Region.
District 5 will include in its summer games: Bocce, Bid Euchre, Carpet Bowling, Contract Bridge, Cribbage, Darts, Euchre, Five Pin Bowling, Teams/Singles, Floor Shuffleboard, Golf, Horseshoes, Lawn Bowling, Swimming, Tennis and Walking (Prediction plus Nordic).
The demonstration sport will be Pickleball.
Winter Games will include Alpine Skiing, Badminton, Curling, Duplicate Bridge, Ice Hockey, Nordic Skiing, Skating, Table Tennis, Ten Pin Bowling and Volleyball. Again, gold medal winners in each of these event will be invited to participate in the OSGA Winterfest to be held in Haliburton in 2011.
Registration forms will be available in early 2010 both on-line and hard copy from either the Municipality offices and senior centres. The website for Renfrew County will be available in the New Year.
For further information on District 5 Renfrew County, contact: Stephanie Atkinson, 613 River Road, R.R.1. Barry's Bay. K0J 1B0_613-736-3622. Email: stephanie1938@gmail.com
# 16 Scarborough
# 28 Simcoe County
# 8 Stormont, Dundas&Glegarry/Prescott&Russell
# 3 Sudbury
# 2A Temiskaming
The Temiskaming district will be announcing its schedules in the new year, circa March. Local residents can email timmins_senior_centre@live.ca or district2A@ontarioseniorgames.ca for more information.
# 18 Toronto & East York
# 1 Thunder Bay
District 1, Thunder Bay will run its games June 7 to 10 with registration scheduled May 25 to 28 from 9-4 at the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre and at the Herb Carroll 55 Plus Centre.
Top qualifiers will be able to participate in Actifest, August 2010.
District 1 Games will include: Euchre, Darts, Ten-Pin Bowling, Walking, Snooker, Floor Shuffleboard, Contract Bridge, Five-Pin Bowling, Bocce, Golf, Carpet Bowling, Cribbage, Swimming, Horseshoes, Bid Euchre, Badminton and Whist.
Contact Magdalena King for any further information at 807-625-3135 or email mking@thunderbay.ca.
# 26 Waterloo-Wellington
District 26 of the Ontario Senior Games organization – including Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener and Waterloo – has announced the dates of its competitions.
In 2010 the District 26 Games will be hosted by the City of Kitchener from May 25-28 and May 31-June 3.
Actifest is a multi-sport event that provides people 55+ with an opportunity to compete and meet people from across the province. The event is scheduled for August 10-12, 2010. Approximately 1,200 athletes will compete in 17 events.
Four cities – Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo – and three townships – Centre Wellington, Woolwich and Wilmot – make up District 26 and each of them takes turns to host the summer event to provide seniors with competition and camaraderie. Dct. 26 has had over 1000 participants partaking in 15 plus sanctioned events. There are more than 20 events total to accommodate active seniors.
For more Dct. 26 information, contact district26@ontarioseniorgames.ca; district26_alternate@ontarioseniorgames.ca.
# 3B Wawa
# 22 Wentworth
Wentworth District will be holding its games during May and June of 2010. Gold medal winners of these games will then be eligible to participate in Actifest in August.
District 22 is made up of Ancaster, Dundas, Stoney Creek, Mount Hope, Flamborough, Winona, Binbrook, Glanbrook and Waterdown. The games will include contract bridge, duplicate bridge, shuffleboard, euchre, cribbage, bid euchre, (doubles, triples), darts, golf (men's and women's Calloway), 5 pin bowling, lawn bowling, prediction cycling, prediction walking, swimming and tennis.
Registration forms for these games will be available at the Ancaster Senior Achievement Centre (A.S.A.C.) during April. Registration for the first event is $8. The second event is $2 and each subsequent event is $1. Some events such as golf will have extra costs that are clearly identified on the registration form.
For more information on District 22 games, contact A.S.A.C. at 905-648-3466 or Ernie Hudson at 905-648-3715, or email hudsonc@execulink.com.
# 32 Windsor/Essex
The Windsor Essex Summer Games will run from April 13 to June 3, with the Awards Luncheon being held on June 17. Registration forms should be available after Jan. 20.
The Summer Games will consist of Euchre, Cribbage, Scrabble, Duplicate and Contract Bridge, Pickle Ball, Pepper, 8 Ball, Darts, Shuffleboard, Snooker, Golf, Prediction Walk, Tennis, Lawn Bowling and Horseshoes. The events are played in various venues throughout Windsor and Essex County. The registration fee is $7.50, with event fees also being charged. The contact person is Lynne Pinciuc (danandlynne@sympatico.ca or 519-945-4954).
# 14 York Region
For more information visit: foreveryoungnews.com; actifest2010.com; ontarioseniorgames.ca.
