WEST CARLETON – The West Carleton Seniors’ Games are almost here – a month of competition and socializing as winter loosens its icy grip on Ward 5.

The event is in its 22nd year and involves the seniors of West Carleton getting together for some friendly competition in a variety of games, sports and events.

“We don’t get to see each other much,” games organizer and West Carleton Senior Council President Jim Wilson told West Carleton Online from the joint seniors annual meeting held at the Kinburn Community Centre today (April 10). “This is just a great social event.”

Wilson said around 70 seniors (55 and up) participated last year.

The West Carleton Senior Games kicks off Monday, April 29 and continues until the banquet in Fitzroy Harbour on May 31.

In between, seniors can compete in darts, cribbage, a car rally, six-hand euchre, four-hand euchre, trivia, shuffle board, poker walk, five pin bowling, bridge, golf, carpet bowling, walking and lawn bowling.

“Last year we added the car ralley and the timed walk,” Wilson said. “In the walk, partipants had to guess how long it would take themselves to walk 2.5 kilometres. The winner was pretty close but everyone else was off by 20 minutes or more. Both were a success.”

This year the organizing committee is adding a trivia competition.

Events are held all over the ward and beyond including the Constance Bay Legion, Carp Memorial Hall, Kinburn Community Centre, Fitzroy Community Centre, Carp Community Centre, Arnprior Bowling Centre, Madawaska Golf Club and Galetta Lawn Bowl.

The top honour at the games is the oldest participant trophy, but you have to participate in at least two events to qualify.

Senior groups hosting events include the Sandhill, Huntley, Kinburn, and Fitzroy Seniors.

It is not too late to register if you would like to take part in an event at the West Carleton Seniors’ Games. Organizers are keeping registration open for roughly two more weeks. For more information, or to register you can contact Jim Davies at 613-832-3222.