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Jasper’s Bert Journault skated away from this year’s Alberta 55+ games with a bronze medal in hockey.
Seniors from across the province descended on Kinsoo Ridge, Cold Lake and Bonnyville last weekend to compete in events from alpine skiing and bowling to curling, backgammon and arts and crafts.
This year’s Games took place from February 28 to March 3.
And across the 12 events, the most popular was hockey.
Journault said: “I am pleased announce I came back with the bronze medal from the hockey,” he said. “The team was from Grande Cache and Hinton. Most players from nearby Edmonton - they were very good, they play a lot. I was the only one from Jasper.”
In total, 25 teams faced off at the Energy Centre with more than 350 seniors lacing up their skates to take part.
The next most popular event was curling, followed by bowling, and pickleball.
Scrabble, euchre, snooker, bridge and creative writing were among the other options for athletes.
Senior Games have been held in Alberta since 1976, and this was not Journault’s first tournament.
He said: “I played about six years ago in Lethbridge. It’s my cousin who gets me involved. It’s to keep people active, socially and physically. I had a great time.”
Journault, who sits on Jasper municipal council, said he discussed the facilities with some of the organisers and would like to look into the possibility of hosting the Games.
Candidate communities are judged on their physical facilities (capacity to host events, food services, medical facilities and accommodations), and financial and human resources.
The Games are held twice a year, for summer and winter, with the next Games taking place in Medicine Hat from July 4 to 7, 2019.
Events will include cycling, golf, tennis, cribbage, arts and photography.
