Friendly croquet and bocce ball tournaments can help local seniors get fit at during senior sports week at the Squamish Seniors Centre from Monday (July 12 to 15).

Sports week offers plenty of physical activities, at a very low cost to any Squamish area senior over the age of 55, but adults under the age of 55 can also participate, according to recreation programmer Shaelene Raffaele.

“If there was somebody that was younger and they wanted to become a member it’s not that cut and dry.”

Activities are open to members and non-member of the Seniors Centre alike but participants are encouraged to purchase a Senior Centre membership for $25.

“We invite people to become a member but the certainly don’t need to be.”

Sports week was designed to promote and maintain a healthy lifestyle amongst seniors.

“[We are] just encouraging everyone to get outside, get active and hopefully it’s a chance to meet some new people.”

Starting on Monday (July 12) seniors can drop in to a Keep Well fitness class at 11 a.m., a carpet bowling game at 1 p.m. a croquet tournament at 2 p.m. – which requires pre-registration – or a game of table tennis (ping pong) throughout the day.

On Tuesday (July 13) a fitness class will be offered at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., followed by a registration only yoga class at 1:30 p.m., a bocce tournament at 2 p.m. – which requires pre-registration – and table tennis throughout the day.

Bocce is a game similar to lawn bowling however it is traditionally played in Italy, France, Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Bocce ball, unlike a lawn bowling ball, is spherical and does not have any spin bias. Bocce is played on a natural soil or asphalt playing field where as lawn bowling is commonly played on a synthetic turf.

On Wednesday (July 14) seniors have the opportunity to participate in a fitness class at 11 a.m. or in a pre-registration only lawn bowling game at 1 p.m.

Lawn bowling games are held every Wednesday and everyone is welcomed to join. No previous experience in lawn bowling is necessary because Trish McNair offers instruction and coaching to beginners.

Two fitness classes are available for seniors on Thursday (July 15) at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. followed by table tennis and Nintendo Wii competitions throughout the day.

Poor weather conditions may force outdoor activities to be moved inside, but Raffaele said with plenty of space and a carpet bowling facility all the activities should be able to go on as planned.

“If we have to move inside, we’ll make it work the best we can.”

Raffaele said sports week offers Squamish area seniors the chance to meet, mingle, stay fit and explore the services of the Centre.

Sports week participants will have the opportunity to earn participation ribbons and prizes as well as purchase light refreshments and snacks in the cafeteria.

The activities cost members between $2 and $6 each, while non-members pay a slightly higher fee to participate. Any adult over the age of 50 can purchase a 12-month Seniors Centre membership for $25, while seniors over the age of 90 receive a honourary membership.

Anyone interested in registering for activities at the Squamish Seniors Centre can do so in person by dropping by the office located at 1201 Village Green Way or by calling 604-848-6898 or via email pgiri@squamish.ca.

For more information on upcoming Seniors Centre events visit squamish.ca/residents/squamish-seniors.