The return to Alberta 55 Plus Games has been fruitful for Big Country Zone 2, which includes the Cochrane area.

Recently, 81 participants from across the zone travelled to Peace River for the summer games and returned with 76 medals.

They were earned in a large variety of sports as well as crafts and photography.

Doug Campbell, area 7 director, says it was impressive to have 160 compete in the qualifiers, then have 81 of them head to Peace Country for the provincials.

"We had about 80 go to the winter games in Edmonton, but to go to Peace River is a 7 1/2 hour drive or longer. It shows great commitment and they all did extremely well."

They returned with 32 gold, 28 silver, and 16 bronze medals.

Zeroing in on the Cochrane area, Robert Martens won two gold in the 20k and 40k competitive cycling events in the 55-plus age category.

Clint Docken, of Bragg Creek, who has medalled many times in the past, won two golds in the recreational 10k and 20k in the 70-plus age group.

Brian Hill, of Springbank, won gold, silver, and bronze in 75-plus track and field events. Lousie Koutis, of Bearspaw, won a bronze in the 80 and 100m in the 80-plus age group.

Cochrane's Bill Gibbons won bronze in the 75-plus men's 8-ball event.

Three slo-pitch teams medalled that included some players from the Cochrane area. Big Country returned with gold in men's 75-plus and 70-plus, and silver in 55-plus. 

Peace Country hosted 800 participants in sporting and cultural events at the games.

In April, Big Country also sent a strong contingency to the Alberta 55 Plus Winter Games in Edmonton.

Up next in the Canada 55 Plus Summer Games in Kamloops, B.C. from Aug. 23 to 26.

Campbell says they're now set to send a solid team of about 35 to 40 to the nationals.

It's been a happy return to the games after the pandemic that has made 2022 extremely busy. Before that, Campbell says they've been fortunate to send athletes to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Strathcona County in the Edmonton area. He says it's the first time it has been back in the West since 2014.

Returning with medals is great news, but participation is the main goal of Alberta 55 Plus Sports. It promotes lifelong fitness through active living.

Big Country stretches from Lake Louise and Sundre in the northwest to Olds and Three Hills along its northern boundary. The Saskatchewan border is to the east, and High River and Longview are on its southern border. Calgary has a stand-alone zone.

Zone 2 is administered by Big Country Seniors Sports Society. You can learn more about them here.