It has been a "rocking" good time at the Manitoba 55+ Games in Steinbach.
"I'm so excited that Steinbach's hosting it," says the city's mayor, Earl Funk.
He notes the Pat Porter Active Living Centre (PPALC) is leading the event, and says it's a perfect fit.
"They just do things right. They've shown us time and time again in our community how they do things right, and how they bring people together, and that's what this is all about," he says.
The games have been right on the "button," says Audrey Harder with the PPALC.
"The curling club here is great to work with, and it was just smooth. It's beautiful to see people gather around sport and spend time, and laugh and enjoy some food," she says.
"It's been a really exciting time."
Team Double Dave has been curling for 30 years collectively, most starting in their retirement.
"It's a lot of strategy and it's the opposite time of year as golfing, so you can do something all year round," one of the team member says.
Another chimes in with what their strategy is.
"It depends on the other people and what they do. But try to put as many rocks in play as possible," he explains.
Harder says, at the games, everyone is active in their own ways.
"There's curling where you're down on your knee, and there's stick curling. There's many different ways to do it, and I think it's important to recognize that we can all do it some way," Harder says.
She adds the 55+ Games are a great way to be inspired by different ways to stay active.
"At any age you can start again. Like Bert Suss for example... he started again at 79, and has been curling because he can stick curl now. So that just shows you how things evolve. You just have to go with it. We can't expect the same from ourselves every day and every time, but we've got to be able to do what we can."
In June, the PPALC expects 1,000 people to come out for the summer games — about ten times the number that came out to curl for the winter games.
"They come together to play a game, a common love, and that's what I like seeing," Funk says. "I hope they feel welcome here, and they get to see what's going on in Steinbach."
Harder is excited to see what comes during the warmer months, as her team uses the winter games to enhance their experience.
"We're looking forward to greeting everybody, and meeting everybody, and showing how active living is crucial now at any point in life, but now is a good time to start," she says.
It's going to take a lot more volunteers to make the summer games run though, considering how much larger they'll be.
Those interested can apply online at patporteralc.com.
Funk says he is so proud of Steinbach's volunteers.
"We have such a strong volunteer base, and they come every time, time and time again, and they make these events. Events like this don't happen if you don't have volunteers," he says.
Written with files from Carly Koop