Marty Hastings - Kamloops This Week
The River City is once again on display as nearly 4,000 competitors from across the province participate in the BC Seniors Games, which got underway in Kamloops on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
“To have people coming from all over British Columbia representing their zones, of which there are 12, we’re extremely excited,” Kamloops Games president Charlie Bruce said.
Hotels across the Tournament Capital have been booked solid for months, with campsites open to accommodate the trailers, campers and motorhomes of those who could not find a room.
With about 1,300 volunteers signed on to help out, Bruce said the number of people directly involved with the Games will climb to about 5,300, making it the largest multi-sport event in Kamloops history.
It is not yet clear if Kamloops will usurp Richmond and claim the participant-record mark, with the Lower Mainland city having welcomed more than 3,800 competitors to the 2009 Games.
Free transportation will be on offer to those participating in the Kamloops event.
“In previous Games, often in big cites, we found out that when the seniors got there, they didn’t like to drive around,” Bruce said.
“If you’re a credited participant or credited volunteer, you have free city transportation.
“We also have a fleet of vehicles moving athletes around.”
There is no charge for spectators to attend the opening and closing ceremonies or any of the Games’ 25 events.
The opening ceremony was held on Wednesday evening, Aug. 21. The closing ceremony is slated to get underway at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Tournament Capital Centre.
“We certainly encourage the public to come out and watch some impassioned individuals involved in their sports and activities,” Bruce said.
Go online to 2013kamloopsbcseniorsgames.org for a venue list and competition schedule.