North finds success at BC 55+ Games despite uncertain conditions

While the province was in the midst of the worst of the wildfire season, nearly 100 competitors travelled from North Central BC to Abbotsford to compete in the 55+ BC Games.

“The weekend before, Highway 1 got closed – the most direct route for people from Zone 9 (North Central BC),” Ron Gallo, the Zone 9 Director, told My PG Now.

This left Whistler and the Coquihalla as detours for competitors to pick between, with road conditions uncertain from day to day due to the ever-changing wildfire situation.

The highways remained open and Gallo said conditions in Abbotsford held for the games, where Zone 9 would finish 6th out of 13 – earning 34 Gold, 19 Silver and 15 Bronze medals.

“In some respects, some competitors were surprised that they picked up medals,” Gallo said, “and I do think there were a couple who think they could have had a medal. That’s always how it goes.”

“It is more than just the medals. There is always a social component,” he continued. “Sometimes it is the only opportunity for a number of these people to get around peers that enjoy the sport they enjoy.”

The strongest example of that was shown by a woman from the Sorrento / Chase area whose house had just been lost to a wildfire.

“She was bound and determined that what had happened has happened, and she wanted to compete in the games. She quickly became the dear of the games, if you will,” Gallo said.

She competed in Pickleball and ended up winning a gold medal.

“For the people that were there, it spoke volumes about the power of thought and the power of people.”

Now, preparations for the 2024 55+ BC games begin.

They will be hosted in Salmon Arm, which Gallo said will cut down on a lot of travel for Zone 9 competitors.

Anyone who is interested in getting involved in next years’ games is being asked to email Gallo at [email protected], or attend the Zone 9 Annual General Meeting on October 1st at the Senior Centre in Quesnel.