The Weekly Observer - July 7
Taking Advantage of Brockville’s Many Resources
Wow, only 9 weeks to go until the 2010 Canada 55+ Games begin on August 23! The fact that we are now in "single digits" in our Games countdown is making our collective hearts beat a little faster and emphasizes the importance of all the months of planning, discussion, and strategizing.
Last week, we took a "tour" of the out-of-town venues, visiting Gananoque, the Township of Leeds & the Thousand Islands, Prescott and Smiths Falls. This week we’ll look at the venues here in Brockville where the majority of the competition will take. We’ve got some great resources.
The Athletes’ Village location at the Brockville campus of St. Lawrence College (SLC) is ideal because 10 of the Brockville-based competitions will be held at either the College itself or within easy walking distance at the Brockville Memorial Centre and Goldy Christopher Park. This close proximity will allow the competitors to access the many amenities that will be available to them throughout the Games at the Athletes’ Village and will make the Village a natural gathering spot for competitors and the public alike.
St. Lawrence College will play host to the following competitions: Horseshoes; Contract Bridge; Scrabble; Darts; Duplicate Bridge; and Eight Ball. Since the Canada 55+ Games are a mixture and sport and recreational activities, the facilities at SLC are well suited for these recreational activities.
The Brockville Memorial Centre will host two competitions: Ice Hockey in the Arena and Floor Shuffleboard in the Community Hall. Thanks to some federal government infrastructure funding, both the Arena and the Community Hall will have a renewed look for our visitors from across Canada to appreciate.
Outside the Memorial Centre, the Slo-Pitch players will be competing at Goldy Christopher Park and the other two diamonds that make up the slo-pitch complex. I have no doubt that these beautifully manicured fields will prove to be a big hit among the slo-pitch competitors.
The Games will also be taking advantage of other Brockville resources. A full slate of hockey games will be played at the Brockville Youth Arena. The Swim Meet will be held in the Brockville and Area's YMCA pool. The local YMCA will also host any overflow tennis that cannot be accommodated at the Prescott Tennis Club. The Lawn Bowling event will be held at the Brockville Lawn Bowling Club located at the corner of King Street and Oxford Avenue.
The two final venues where competitions will be held are St. Mary Catholic High School, which is hosting the Badminton competitions, and Thousand Islands Secondary School, which is hosting Athletics (Track & Field) at its world class track & field complex .
The Games Organizing Committee would like to thank ALL the venues for their cooperation and in-kind donations of these facilities for the 2010 Canada 55+ Games. Without your help and generous support, we could not have been able to host these Games in Brockville and area!
In closing, if you have not already done so, let me once again invite you to sign up as a volunteer for the Games. You can find the application forms online at: www.brockville2010.ca or by visiting us at the Games office located at 6 Water Street. Until next week, stay active!
