Steinbach puts in bid for 55 Plus Games

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This article was published 02/03/2024 (506 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Steinbach city council gave their blessing to organizers hoping to bring the 2025 Manitoba 55 Plus Games to the community.

Audrey Harder, who is also the executive director of the Pat Porter Active Living Centre, told council they are asking to host the games, which would run June 3-5, 2025. That’s earlier than normal in the year, but Harder said they wanted to ensure it did not interfere with Summer in the City.

She said local facilities would be used including the Southeast Event Centre, Pat Porter Active Living Centre, bowling alley, aquatic centre, and golf course.

“This is an exceptional opportunity for our community to showcase,” she said. “I think it’s just an excellent opportunity to be able to brag and show off a bit.”

The Manitoba 55 Plus Games began in 1983 as the MSOS (Manitoba Society of Seniors) Games.

Steinbach has hosted twice since then, in 1993 and again in 2011.

Co-chair of the 2011 event, Pat Porter told The Carillon a week before it began that it was a positive event for the city.

“This is an opportunity to show the rest of the province what’s available in Steinbach,” she said. “Give others an opportunity to see the city.”

Harder echoed the same sentiments saying the games would bring 1,000 people to the city.

And while there’s no guarantee that Steinbach will win its bid, Harder said there has been interest expressed by the 55 Plus Games for some time.

“They have approached me five years in a row I think but they also approached Russ (Dyck, Steinbach manager of parks and recreation) this time as well,” she said.

Coun. Susan Penner made the motion to send a letter of support and applauded Harder for her hard work on behalf of the community.

“Especially for our new event centre opening up, this is great timing and I look forward to being able to do more of this type of thing,” she said.

Coun. Damian Penner seconded the motion.

“Having events like this is not only beneficial to the athletes and the community but can also spur on new recreational opportunities for spectators, who can find interest in the sports they may not normally participate in or view,” he said.

Mayor Earl Funk agreed saying sports are a good way to bring people together.

“We can really showcase what Steinbach is all about and I’m looking forward to using the new event centre. I think that this is what it’s for,” he said. “It’s for bringing people to our community to do sports and have activities and have events.”

This year’s Manitoba 55 Plus Games will take place in Brandon, June 18-20.