Active Aging

6 Active Aging Week | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 By Jim Bender ot only are the organizers excited about planning the 2025 Manitoba 55+ Games in Steinbach, but they are also thrilled that Winnipeg has been awarded the 2026 Canadian 55+ Games. "They (nationals) only happen every second year," says Linda Brown, executive director of Active Aging in Manitoba (AAIM). "And Manitoba hasn't hosted them for a long time." In fact, Portage la Prairie was the last Manitoba site to host the event back in 2006. Organizers are already lobbying to add stick curling – which is already part of the Manitoba version of the 55+ Games – to the national event, according to Brown. Meanwhile, preparations are well underway for the provincial event, which will start with curling at the Steinbach Curling Club, March 4-6. "It will be the typical four-person – men's, ladies and mixed and/or open -- and we'll offer two-person stick curling as well," Brown says. "We wanted to make sure we had it last year in Brandon, too, because we knew how popular it was." The summer section of the Manitoba 55+ Games event will be held in the 'Automobile City' June 3 to 5, and will include about 20 sports and games. Many of them will take advantage of the new Southeast Event Centre, which is scheduled to open this December. "It's a great way for people to stay active or get active, and it's really a friendly competition," she says. "When I talk to a lot of people, they say, 'Oh, I'm not competitive.'" She notes that isn't an issue at the 55+ Games. "We have people that participate who might be casual golfers or who might swim a couple of times a week. They're not super competitive to start with, so we always emphasize that it's a friendly competition." While the Games are about friendly competition, they're also about socialization, adds Brown. "A big part of the Games is to socialize as well. We have lots of people who've taken part for many years, and they reacquaint themselves with old friends and make new friends during the Games. It's a great opportunity for them to take part in their favourite activity, N EXCITEMENT GROWING FOR 2025 55+ GAMES & 2026 CANADIAN 55+ NATIONAL GAMES Pickleball has surpassed slo-pitch as the Games' most popular event. Track & field events are highly competitive at the Games. Horseshoes is more challenging than it looks. IT'S A GREAT WAY FOR PEOPLE TO STAY ACTIVE OR GET ACTIVE, AND IT'S REALLY A FRIENDLY COMPETITION" Linda Brown, executive director, Active Aging in Manitoba "

• Cover