Athletes and organizers will mark the start of the 55+ B.C. Games in Coquitlam with an opening ceremony and cauldron lighting at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex tonight (Wednesday).
The event will feature a parade of athletes who will march into the arena, while music and entertainment will be provided by the Dowco Triumph Street Band and Fat Jazz. The Dynamic aerial and acrobatics group will do their trio contortion act.
The opening ceremonies get underway at 7 p.m., with pre-entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m.
More than 3,200 athletes and 1,200 volunteers from across the province have already started filtering into Coquitlam, with competitors taking part in a range of sports including archery, carpet bowling, badminton and ice hockey.
Most of the events are centered around the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex, Town Centre Park and the City Centre Aquatic Complex, however dragon boat racing will be held at Rocky Point Park and a golf tournament is scheduled to take place at the Golden Eagle Golf Club in Pitt Meadows.
On Thursday, athletes are invited for a dinner buffet and entertainment between 5 and 9:30 p.m. at the Hard Rock Casino (2080 United Blvd.), while a participants banquet and dance will be held at the PSLC on Friday, starting with a buffet dinner at 4 p.m. and dancing between 7:30 and 10:30 p.m.
The closing ceremonies are expected to take place on Saturday between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. at the PSLC with a volunteer appreciation event following at 3 p.m.
For a complete list of all sports and start times go to www.55plusgames.ca/sports/schedules.
