LANGLEY - Organizers of the 2014 B.C. Senior Games kicked off the final push leading up to the event here in September.
On the banks of the Fraser River, the local organizing committee along with representatives of local and provincial governments, Kwantlen First Nations and the local community held the torch-lighting ceremony June 5. The games are one way to honour older residents, something that is important, according to one of the speakers. He had a message for young people."You should always take the time to talk to your elders," said Kevin Kelly, representing Kwantlen First Nation. "Why, because you lose your own culture if you don't. It's really important to keep in touch."Langley City and Township won the bid to host the games jointly."Langley is a sports community and Langley is a volunteering community," said Bev Dornan, a Township councillor.Some 4,000 seniors are expected to compete in the games."We can't wait for the action to begin in September," Dornan said.Milt Kruger is head of the games board of directors.This volunteer board has been working for the past 14 months.The organizers are looking for help from the community, specifically volunteers.They can go to the games office at 205th street on Fraser Highway or find out aboutvolunteering at the games website (2014bcseniorsgames.org).BC Senior Games Society president Parsons came for the ceremony."You can sort of start to feel the excitement starting to build," she said."We're getting lots of enquiries at our office."Competitors are age 55 plus and there's plenty of room for spectators."And it's all free, so remember that," she said.