The 2011 B.C. Senior Games came to an end with the closing ceremonies held on Saturday at the Castlegar Community Complex.
Hundreds of athletes, dignitaries, and well-wishers gathered in the arena for a ceremony that saw the mayors from Trail, Castlegar, and Nelson receive banners from the organizing committee as well as from their respective royalty. The ceremony ended with the handing of the senior games flag and gavel to Burnaby, which will host the 2011 B.C. Senior Games.
By all accounts, the games were successful, bring in over 3,000 athletes into the communities of Trail, Castlegar, and Nelson.
"It was amazing. The energy and the enthusiasm and excitement throughout the region - it was just really amazing to see," said Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy. "The incredible job the volunteers and organizers did to pull it together in a year. Most communities have two, three years and we had a year and they pulled it off and did just a fantastic job."
Conroy believes the success of the senior games will continue to benefit the region.
"To do it between three different communities like they did. I heard nothing but good comments from the people that were here visiting from out of town," she said. "I think it'll have long term benefits to the region."
Conroy was busy on Friday presenting medals at various sports. One particular high point for the MLA was golf where she got to present her father, Ben Thor-Larsen, with a gold medal.
"It was great. That was a highlight," said Conroy. "I did the soccer groups and all of golf - I must've given out 100 medals. I was really proud and honoured to put the gold medal around my dad's neck. He'll by 83 next month. He won the 80+ gold. It was great; he's an inspiration."
For Whist gold medalist Joan Steele, who was attending her 13th senior games, the games might've been the best she's ever attended.
"I'm so excited. These are the best run games ever. It's just been beautiful," said Steele, who lives in Trail. "I've met so many old friends."
As a region, West Kootenay Boundary did very well, finished second overall with 240 medals including 106 golds. Fraser Valley finished first with 265 medals.
Gold medal winners from Castlegar were: Doug Pinkerton, Swimming, Men's 65-69 100 metre backstroke; Bert Koehl, Swimming, Men's 75-79 25 metre breaststroke; Audrey Andre, Swimming, Women's 55-59 100 metre freestyle; Marilyn Johnstone, Swimming, Women's 70-74 50 metre freestyle; Jim Gouk, Golf, net score, Men's 60-64 0-20.0 handicap; Bill Perehudoff, Golf, gross score, Men's 70-74, 0-20.0 handicap; Wally Brunn, Golf, gross score and batch 1, Men's 80+, 0-20.0 handicap; Ben Thor-Larsen, Golf, gross score, Men's 80+, 20.1-40 handicap; Donald Leitch, Golf, net score, Men's 80+, 20.1-40 handicap; Walter Kinakin, Horseshoes, Men's 65+ class A - 45% and over; Gordon Gibson, Track and Field, Men's 65-69 weight throw; Cheryl Closkey, Track and Field, Women's 60-64 weight throw, hammer throw, and weight pentathlon; Larry Peitszche, Equestrian, Men and Women 55-59 dressage; Vicki Pether, Equestrian, Men and Women 55-59 dressage.