Registration coming up for Ontario Seniors Games

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By John R. Garrett

Dear Editor,

Wednesday, February 22, at 2 p.m., the Ontario Seniors Games Association will meet at the Wally Dever Arena, second floor, Cannifton Road, Belleville, to start registering participants for the district games for Quinte West, Hastings, Prince Edward and Lennox and Addington Counties, which will be held between May 15 and June 15. The registration fee is $10 per year.

The winners in each category will move on to the Ontario Seniors Provincial Games to be held in Brampton in August.

The games convenors are Anita Warren and Jeff Bitton, manager of recreation for Madoc for bid euchre, Joyce Mitchell for bridge, Bob Michaud (golf), Jordana Laporte (young volunteer for registration), Charlie Rowbotham (hockey -winter games), Jon Martindale (young volunteer for tennis), Pat Gemmell and Pauline Hill for lawn bowling, Bill Bell for cycling. Kay Snedden, Ralph White and Patti Knight have volunteered for badminton for the winter games. Phyllis McFadden has volunteered for horseshoes, Bev Boyce is coordinating swimming, Vicki Hallam is organising shuffleboard and Margaret Dians for walking.

Of critical importance before our the meeting on February 22, we need to know from the municipal representatives the names of participants from their areas so we can register them, (i. e. Napanee, Tweed, Picton, Trenton, etc.)

Bob Michaud hopes Steve McCurdy of Trillium Woods Golf Club who is hosting the Ontario Seniors Games qualifier on May 24, and Dave Allen of the YW/YMCA will attend our meeting to discuss their facilities. Bob has also asked his Rotary Club for support and participants from that group.

Phyllis McFadden has also made great strides to organise horseshoes. She has met with Gary Batty who wants to be a participant and has kindly offered his Ontario regulation horseshoe pit and arena for qualifier events at no charge to our district members. He will also supply a barbeque and refreshments where participants may purchase their lunches. Phyllis is also hoping to gain the support of the Quinte Horseshoe League. The events at Gary's arena are scheduled for June 9 with a rain date for June 10.

Jon Martindale is contacting Gary Kelly, Tourism Director for Bay of Quinte to determine if there is some mutual benefit to both of our causes to increase tourism, with the hope of bringing the Ontario Provincial Seniors Games to our district in the future.

We thank everyone who is trying so hard to make these games a success.

"In the Spirit of the Games,"

John R. Garrett, Roslin