Peter Frey gets ready to smack the ball during a slow pitch game during day two of the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association Provincial 55 + Games hosted in the Battlefords June 11-13. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Senior Games

Seniors Games underway in the Battlefords; promote longevity

Jun 12, 2024 | 5:00 PM

Games that test mental and physical fitness are underway this week in the Battlefords and the competitors are proving age is just a number.

“It’s just nice, it’s a variety of people, there’s some younger people golfing and playing pickleball, there’s some older ones doing track,” said Al Gabert, chairperson of the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association Provincial 55+ Games.

Over three days, athletes compete in everything from slow pitch to lawn bowling to cribbage. The mandate of the association is to promote healthy lifestyles, wellness and having an active mind and body. Gabert said they work to get seniors to “engage themselves in some type of activity” and the key was to create longevity.

Over 570 athletes came to compete and of the eight districts, this year the most players to join came from Saskatoon with 148.

Among those competing was Myrtle Bell, who took part in javelin, discus, shot put and 50 metre running. At 87-years-old, she said the competition had been going well and that she’s always been involved in sports.

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Susan Lytle goes after the tiny little ball during a Pickleball match as doubles partner Joe Lytle looks on during day two of the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association Provincial 55 + Games hosted in the Battlefords June 11-13. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“Right from the time I was in elementary school, I’ve been doing track and field and into high school,’ she said.

“I taught (physical education) when I was teaching and phys-ed is a big part of my life.”

Bell explained she competes every year the games are help but this year was playing through an injury she received earlier this spring.

“I just enjoy it and I’ve done it all these years,” she said, noting next time without any issues.

“I hope my back will be healed.”

According to Ed Iwanchuk, pickleball co-ordinator, it was quite the feat to get a court up and running.

Myrtle Bell throws a javelin during day two of the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association Provincial 55 + Games hosted in the Battlefords June 11-13. (Still from submitted video/Kimberlee Bell)

“We didn’t have enough courts to stage the event, we looked at other facilities, they were inferior,” he said noting although they had to pay for the rental of the space, they wanted everything in one location. The event featured 18 courts and the artificial turf needed to be removed before games could commence.

“It’s a major job for this facility, it takes a whole day approximately to lift it, organize it before they put away,” he said, of the intricate system involved.

“We put in nine courts identical to the other side of the fieldhouse. They all have to get measured in exactly, taped, chalked – the barriers were a lot of work to get them in and get them in place.”

Iwanchuk explained that the event has been a success thus far and the team had received positive feedback about their work.

“We had 155 individual entries and people can play two events,” he said of the men’s, women’s and mixed doubles games.

Since there were so many entrants taking part in various activities, they had to schedule 425 matches over two days.

“Pickleball is the major event of these games,” said Iwanchuk.

“Our entry’s almost double anything else.”

Meanwhile, Margaret Fedun came to play cards.

Jan Hockings runs for home in a slow pitch game during day two of the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association Provincial 55 + Games hosted in the Battlefords June 11-13. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“We’re playing crib and it’s fun,” she said.

She and her daughter Irene Verhoeven played together and at 90, Fedun said there has been no strategy as it all depends on the cards and Verhoeven said it was a social one.

“It’s a game that I can play with my mom,” she said.

Verhoeven explained when she was telling Fedun about the games, she asked if her daughter would like to join her and Verhoeven was delighted.

“I think it’s something great,” said Fedun.

Her daughter agreed.

Margaret Fedun deals a hand in a cribbage game during day two of the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association Provincial 55 + Games hosted in the Battlefords June 11-13. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“We get to play together and have fun together and then with the other people here, it’s a fun crowd to play with.”

Meanwhile, Gabert said they are seeing a number of people over the age of 55 that are interested in being active.

“That’s the goal is to get people involved and participating in something,” he said.

Once the winners are announced Thursday, they will compete at the national level, this year held in Quebec.

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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