We are the Ontario Senior Games Association (OSGA), Chatham-Kent District 33A, and CK 55+ Senior Games. But MOSTLY we are just local seniors getting together for fun, fitness, and friendship in facilities all across the Municipality.
First, some history… in 1982 the Older Adult Centres Association of Ontario (OACAO) and the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation organized a program to promote activities for Ontario’s seniors. Provincial Championships followed two years later (in Kitchener) and then the first “Actifest” – two years after that.
Rapid growth until 1996… the Ontario Senior Games Council separated from OACAO and in 1997 became a not-for-profit incorporated body. With the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation, the 1998 Ontario Seniors` Secretariat envisioned Winter Games as well as Summer Provincials. In March 2000, Collingwood hosted the first ever Winter Provincial 55+ Games.
OSGA Membership grew… in 2015 the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport took the lead for the Ontario Games Program and both the 55+ Summer and 55+ Winter Games. Now, let’s zoom in on District 33A – Chatham-Kent.
Local events began in 1988. Today we are one of 37 Ontario Districts with hundreds of CK 55+ OSGA Members participating in over 25 events scheduled for Spring/Summer or Fall/Winter. CK’s many activities are for all seniors in facilities and locations from Tilbury to Thamesville – Wallaceburg to Wheatley.
The Older Adult Centres provide tons of support, answer lots of questions, loan us facilities, volunteers, and equipment, assist with forms and filing, and even sit on the District Organizing Committee to ensure District 33A follows all the Provincial Guidelines, Bylaws, and Gaming Rules.
These games include Bid Euchre, Cribbage, Carpet, 5-pin and Lawn Bowling, Contract and Bid Bridge, Golf, Prediction Events – Walking, Nordic, and Run, Pickleball, Darts, Pepper, Scrabble, Tennis, Billiards, Floor Shuffleboard, Cycling, Swimming, Crokinole, Bocce, Ladder Ball, Washer Toss, and Slo-Pitch.
Winter events offer some repeats as well as Badminton, 10 pin Bowling, Curling, Prediction Skating, Hockey, Table Tennis, and Skiing. And, if local “champions” decide to go forward, there are Regional Games (coming up this August), Winter Provincials (held in Huntsville last March), and Summer Games scheduled for 2020. Also in 2020, Kamloops B.C. will host the Canada Games where Provincial gamers can compete Nationally.
And… CK is populated with LOTS of 55+ champions. This year’s Silver Medal Curling Champions – at the Huntsville Winter Provincials (photo submitted by Brenda Taylor) – were Jim Brackett (skip), Brenda Taylor (vice), Jim Howe (second), and Anita Quenniville (lead).
We are already celebrating lots of 33A gold, silver, and bronze champions, including Gold Medal Duplicate Bridge Champions Ron Martin and his partner Derek Parry. In fact, there could be quite a few CK gamers at the August Regionals – and some definite medal challengers.
Want to get in on the action – the fun – the fitness – the friendship? Just visit www.ckseniors.com; email ckseniorgames@gmail.com; or call Dave Drouillard (District Coordinator) 519 325 8451. And maybe the next photo will be YOU!
This article (and group photo) was written and submitted by:
Dave Drouillard, (District Coordinator) OSGA District 33A
