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Good morning everyone,

We are now well into week six of this coronavirus pandemic, which has led most of Alberta into a state of self isolation and social distancing. These are trying times for everyone and I hope you’re all managing the situation and coping well. It’s times like this when having a strong support system of family and friends become very important.

Your Alberta 55 plus Board of Directors have not been able to meet in person since February but rest assured we are continuing to dialogue with each other through phone calls, emails and conference calls. Top of mind is the overall health and welfare of our members and our ongoing pursuit of planning for both the Canada Games and the Peace River Games being held in the summer of 2021.

On that note, here are a few updates regarding the Canada 55 Games:

1. The decision was made to postpone the Kamloops Games until July/August of 2021 (date to still be determined) by the Canada 55 Board of Directors. Although we did agree with the postponement of the games, we did not support the decision to reschedule them for the summer of 2021. Our Canada 55 Alberta Director, Pat Covington, voted against this time frame knowing our own Provincial Games could basically be held at the same time.

2. As a result of this step, the registration process that was undertaken by Pat Covington has become null and void. This registration process takes approximately 250 hours of manpower to accomplish and it is a process that we are not prepared to take on again. As referenced in an earlier message from Pat Covington, refunds are forthcoming but will take some time to get them all done. Please be patient.

3. After a meeting (conference call) of the Executive Board, it was decided that all Alberta athletes who are intending on competing in the Canada 55 Games in Kamloops will need to self register on either the Canada 55 Games website or the Kamloops Games website. The self registration process will be for 2021 only and we will resume looking after the registration process for all subsequent games. Remember to renew your Alberta55 plus membership if you’re waiting until the 2021 calendar year to register for the games.

4. Please remember that there will be back to back Canada 55 Games both in 2021 in Kamloops and 2022 in either mid or central Canada. The location has yet to be determined. Adding to that, the Peace River games will be the qualifier for the 2022 Canada 55 games.

5. Pat, along with our entire Board will be focusing all their time and efforts in preparing for the Peace River Games and that particular registration process which is, and should be, our main focus.

A few updates regarding the Alberta 55 Summer Games in Peace River:

1. The Peace River Games are a full go. Plans and preparations are being put into action as we speak, and we are excited to get to work. Our Provincial Games are and always have been our number one priority.

2. We, as your Board, recognize that there could be a potential conflict between the rescheduled Canada 55 games in Kamloops and the Provincial Games in Peace River. They are both being planned to occur within several weeks of each other. A tough decision for all our athletes and participants. One that you alone will have to make. We cannot tell you what games to attend or not.

You should know however that the Alberta55 Board of Directors are putting 100% of their efforts in ensuring that the Provincial Summer Games in Peace River are a huge success. We are here to support you and to support the Alberta55 plus organization. That means focusing our attention on Peace River.

3. In these extraordinary times of a pandemic, a weakened economy and a province in trouble, we want you to know that we are looking at ways to offset some of the costs involved in participating in the Alberta 55 plus Provincial Summer Games in Peace River.

There are no sure answers at the writing of this note, but we are meeting with officials from several levels of government as well as the folks from AGLC, to investigate ways that we can divert monies to assist our members. We will let you know as soon as a plan is put in place. This will require many calls, emails and meetings to secure the funds we are chasing so please be patient when looking for updates.

In closing, there is a lot of information to digest in this note and it is our hope that it assists you in answering some of the questions you may be have about what’s happening with regards to Alberta 55 plus.  If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly or any member of your Executive Board.

Stay healthy, stay vigilant and stay home…

Dave Finn

President
Alberta 55 plus

Good afternoon fellow members,

I hope you’re all managing things in your respective homes and you’re coping well. There is no doubt that these are very interesting and challenging times. The entire world is being affected by this pandemic and we here in Alberta are not immune to its reach. I know and appreciate that many of you are experiencing high levels of stress and concern about your family, your friends and yourselves. Please continue to be vigilant during these trying times.

I would like to provide you with a few updates regarding Alberta55 plus and the Canada 55 Games. As of Tuesday, March 17^th, our provincial office at the Percy Page building has been temporarily closed and our Provincial Coordinator, Dayna White, has set up a “virtual” office where she can be reached through emails and phone calls. Plans will be put in place for Dayna to visit the actual office one or two days a week once we are certain as to where these workplace restrictions are headed.

As mentioned in my Presidents message from a few weeks ago, we did have our AGM planned for Monday, May 4^th, 2020 in Red Deer. In adhering to the government restrictions that are now in place, we will we be cancelling the AGM and rescheduling it for a date to be determined. Most likely, it will be in the early part of September and will still be in Red Deer. If things or conditions change, I will provide everyone with an update with lots of notice.

All Alberta55 plus provincial events have been postponed indefinitely and all Alberta55 plus Zone events should be adhering to the same protocols. I strongly believe these steps are necessary to safeguard our members from the risk of contracting this coronavirus. Although our mandate refers to recreation and participation for all seniors, we need to treat this pandemic seriously and support all government policies that are in place to provide that safety.

We have been in contact with the folks from Canada 55 Games and the Kamloops 55 Games and to date, the games are still a go. With the games being planned for August 25-28 there may be a very real possibility that the games go ahead as planned. Of course, the Covid 19 coronavirus may inevitably cause the games to be postponed/canceled and I’m sure that will be a very difficult decision when it happens. Canada 55 has assured the respective provinces that should the games cancel, full refunds would be in order. Updates will be provided to everyone as they unfold and as we receive news from the Canada 55 Board of Directors. Please check our website weekly for these as well as other updates regarding Alberta55 plus and Canada 55 games. Alternatively, you could also check the Canada 55 games or Kamloops 55 games websites.

You will have noticed (hopefully) that our “new look” website is up and running and there are quite a few changes that we made. Please take the time to visit the new website and provide us with some feedback. (good or bad).

We are also very close to having our membership data base ready to go which will make our Membership Directors very happy I’m sure. Thank you for your continued support and patience throughout this “construction” period.

In closing, I would remind everyone that there is a vast amount of misinformation circulating out there on different social media platforms and I encourage you to do your own homework when it comes to this pandemic. There are several very good, trusted government websites that will provide you with all the information you need. I have included these websites and I suggest you visit them in order to stay on top of all the current information that is available to all Albertans. Please see below:

www.albertahealthservices

www.ahs.ca/covid

https://covid19info.live/

www.alberta.ca/coronavirus

www.worldhealthorganization

I usually sign off all my messages with the adage of “continue to beat the drum” and I will use it again here, only this time the “drum” has changed. Continue to practice social distancing, continue to self-isolate if warranted, continue to stay home if you’re sick, continue to wash your hands, and continue to be vigilant. This Covid 19 coronavirus threat is very real and your health and the health of your family and friends are paramount.

Until next time…

Dave Finn

President Alberta 55 plus

After a conference call Tuesday, March 24th, the decision was made by the Kamloops 2020 Canada Games 55 + Committee and the Canada Senior Games Association to postpone the Canada 55 + 2020 Games until Summer of 2021 in Kamloops. Date to be determined at a later date.

I am sure everyone understands with the Coronavirus as it stands now, we need to put the safety and well-being of our participants first.

There will be more information in the next ten days to two weeks after the Alberta 55 plus Executive can arrange a meeting.

For those of you that have not yet sent your registration and fees in, please do not do so. For those of you that have already registered and your cheques have been deposited, there will be refunds coming in the near future. This will be a huge task so please be patient.

This is all the information I have at this time, so I ask, please do not text or email me at this time, unless it is extremely urgent. I will be in touch when I have more information.

Thank you everyone. Until next time, keep yourself healthy and safe.

Pat Covington
Alberta Director
Canada Games