Staying fit and active has been a lifelong joy of Cochrane's Roswitha Schmitt-Blouin, but when push comes to shove swimming is her chosen activity.

The opening of the new Jayman aquatic centre has now made that an even better experience.

The 68-year-old swimmer recently returned from the 55 Plus Alberta Summer Games with two gold medals and a silver and while she was excited about the wins, she was more eager to talk about the opportunities afforded by the new aquatic centre. In fact, she believes it had a major impact on her medal haul and calls it an amazing facility that offers something for people of all ages.

"I went to the new pool and realized it was more of a pool where you can have competitions," says Schmitt-Blouin. "It gave me an opportunity to excel, to feel more confident and to do a little bit of stroke improvement because I didn't have to worry about anyone bumping into me."

When she moved to Cochrane four years ago from St. Albert she was impressed to discover the wide range of opportunities available for seniors.

"I thought, what a senior community here. People are really into hiking and walking and into all sorts of sports. So many new doors have opened and my kids are just laughing."

"But I'm involved in community and it's fun and that's what seniorhood should be. We shouldn't be sitting in our chairs and watching TV. Fitness and exercise makes you feel good about yourself, builds your self-esteem and it gives you more energy and then you get more things done."

She was encouraged by Doug Campbell, of Alberta 55 Plus Sports, to participate in the wide range of friendly sporting competitions, including swimming, and it was her daughter who introduced her to the Seniors on the Bow.

"That was the best thing because we do need to connect, especially when you move to a new area. I do make friends easy, but I think she did the best thing by right away registering me at the Seniors on the Bow."

There, she embraced their fun programs, became involved in the community and built friendships.

"There's adaptation and there's opportunity out there, so it's important for us all to always stay connected, build friendships and not isolate ourselves. Sports is the biggest way to come together, I think."

She speaks with knowledge. Her degree and career centred on aging and among the people she worked with as a recreational therapist for the Capital Care group at McConnell Place in Edmonton were those inflicted with Alzheimer's disease.

"What we don't use we lose, so that was always a big thing for me. So I'd encourage the elderly to exercise participation, sometimes in a fun way, sometimes in a constructive way, but it has to be fun."

"They were so happy to engage with the sports. They had fun. Just to see the joy and sparkle in their eyes, it was great."

Now retired, it's her chance to enjoy the opportunities.

"Now I want to be in the playground, too, and want to play, enjoy, have fun and participate."

What she sees in the new aquatic centre is something for all ages that didn't exist previously here, especially with added feature of the warm water therapy pool that is valuable for seniors.

"There's a new opportunity with the warm water therapy. People were in there enjoying the soft jets, walking, working with some light water weights; they were just in there exercising. It really made my heart feel happy to see that."

"Pools don't make money but the opportunity Cochranites are getting to stay fit and well for the whole family is great. It can bring people together in a fitness environment, so grandma and grandpa can participate, too."

Schmitt-Blouin swam competitively as a youth in Bad-Aersseld, Germany, and feel she's gone full circle.

"Here I'm a senior and I'm back into it and my grandchildren are so proud of me."

"I do love sports, that's how I grew up. I could actually swim before I could walk. I tend to pull to the pool, that's where my comfort zone is."

That, though, hasn't stopped her from trying other sports through 55 Plus. She's also returned with medals in lawn bowling, shuffleboard and pickleball. And, more importantly, she now has many new friendships with people from across Alberta and Canada.

"I surprised myself as a senior to start competing again. But it's fun, it's companionship, it's building new friendships and you meet lots of people. That's what picks you up. You think 'oh it's stressful and maybe I shouldn't do it', but those moments make it all worthwhile."

Just step out of the house, she encourages, and enjoy.