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“Try-It Day” for seniors being eyed by GP Sports Council

Apr 18, 2018 | 3:22 PM

With enthusiasm and receptiveness from the community being shown for youth “Try-It Days”, the Grande Prairie Sports Council has started to think about a day dedicated to sport for seniors. 

Executive Director Karna Germsheid presented successes to the city from the 2017 youth event which showed that 98.52 per cent of children that attended enjoyed the day with 99.25 per cent of people saying they would attend again. 

“It’s an event that has really been embraced by the community. We have consistently received over 500 participants. Last year, we had 27 different sports running in 13 facilities. We are hoping to have something comparable this year. The kids love it, the parents love it,” said Germsheid following her presentation to a city committee on April 10. 

The next youth event is being held on June 16. 

Adult sport programs can now be added to a Sports Council list where the organization will help promote a recruitment event similar to the youth version. 

Germsheid also recognizes the need to include the older community in the fun. Although there are no formal movements yet, there have been talks about getting a senior “Try-It Day” going. 

“Sometimes sport is just darts or cribbage. Sport can have a far-reaching definition, depending on who you are talking to. It is engaging community members, it is keeping community members connected and active. We recognize that seniors are community members and we hope to service that demographic in the near future.”

With minimal employees, Germsheid says she doesn’t have the resources to get moving on the idea yet. 

She adds that Zone 8 senior athletes travel all over the province for competition and over 100 people are part of that group.