The Alberta Games began as a provincial government initiative for
amateur sport, providing an opportunity for all Albertans to
participate. The first ever Alberta Summer Games involving zone
participation, was held in Calgary in 1974, with the first Alberta
Winter Games being held in Banff in 1976. Since then, each of the games
has been hosted in different communities throughout the province.
Originally, the games involved all age groups, including some events
for participants over the age of 55. The 75th Anniversary Commission
approved the Alberta Games Council's proposal to hold an anniversary
games event for Alberta's senior citizens.
Alberta 55 Plus
was formed to help organize the Alberta Seniors Games and the first
Alberta Seniors Games was held in Camrose, in August 1980. The Alberta
55 Plus (Seniors) Games continue to be held biennially. ALBERTA 55 PLUS
represents the heart of seniors. It stands for the idea of a fuller,
healthier, more vital future; for the straightforward steps that can be
taken towards that future. We promote participation and action and have
generated a unique spirit of cooperation across the province. The
Association believes that sport and recreation development for seniors
is a provincial issue. It has a direct bearing on the quality of life
in this province and it can become a way of life for the individual and
the province as a whole. That is the ideal. We're working to make it a
reality.
