55+ Games: Board of Directors Announced

11 Directors ready to begin work on planning the 55+ Games

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed May 10, 2024 12:15 PM

Summary

The nomination committee of the 55+ BC Games, led by President Diana Johnstone and Vice-President Mary Smith, are pleased to announce the appointment of 11 individuals to serve as the Board of Directors for the upcoming 55+ BC Games in Nanaimo.

Following the April 2024 nomination process, 11 nominees were presented and approved by Nanaimo City Council on Monday, May 6.

The appointed directors are:

Director of Administration: Adrien Stewart
Director of Culture & Events: Leon Potter
Director of Friends of the Games: Corry Gervais
Director of Medical Services: Dr Abe Avender
Director of Promotions: Jenn Houtby Ferguson
Director of Protocol: Sophia Maher
Director of Sport: Liz Williams
Director of Tech Services: Gord Robinson
Director of Transportation: Jim Turley
Director of Venue Operations: April Gale-Seixeiro
Director of Volunteer & Participant Services: Karen Hunter

The 55+ Games are the largest annual sporting event in British Columbia, and the directors play a key role in ensuring a successful event. With expertise in logistics, finance, marketing, technology and more, each director brings a unique set of skills and experiences to their respective roles. This well-rounded and capable leadership team for the 55+ BC Games are dedicated to delivering an unforgettable experience for participants, spectators and residents alike. Some of the above-noted directors have previous experience with events of this magnitude (such as the 2002 and 2014 BC Summer Games and the 2007 55+ BC Games). Others will be learning from those with past experience and building capacity for these Games, as well as for future Games.

Link to Strategic Plan: C4.8.2 Continue to host, permit, and support festivals, celebrations, sporting events, and other events in public spaces, C4.8.13 Provide logistical support to events, festivals, tournaments, and gatherings – especially those in the shoulder and off-seasons, IAP #152 (C4.8.13) Work with Tourism Nanaimo and the Nanaimo Hospitality Association to attract shoulder-season and off-season events and gatherings such as the BC 55+ Games

Key Points

11 Volunteer Directors, in addition to the President and Vice-President, have now been confirmed for the Nanaimo 55+ Games Committee.
The 2025 BC 55+ Games will take place from September 9th to 13th 2025 and will feature a wide range of sporting events and recreational activities tailored specifically for participants aged 55 and older.
With a focus on camaraderie, competition, and fun, the Games promise to be a celebration of active living and healthy aging.
Information on volunteering for the Games will be available later this year.

Quotes

"We are grateful to have such a skilled and committed Board of Directors in place to begin planning the 55+ Games. Nanaimo is known to be an exceptional host community, and I am certain this group will provide the leadership needed to pull together another memorable event."

Leonard Krog

Mayor

City of Nanaimo