The Alberta 55 Plus Winter Games get under way Thursday in St. Albert with the ATCO Gas Torch Relay.
The first leg of the route starts at 1 p.m., from St. Albert Place to Chateau Mission. Runners will also exchange the torch at Youville Home, Ric’s Grill, Sir Alexander Mackenzie School, Marie Poburan School, Holy Family Parish and Red Willow Church before arriving at Servus Credit Union Place around 3 p.m. to light the small cauldron outside the host venue for the games.
Pre-entertainment and seating for Thursday’s opening ceremonies begins at 6 p.m. at Performance Arena. The performance runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and includes the lighting of the main cauldron.
Sunday’s closing ceremonies go from 2 to 3 p.m. at Performance.
Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies are on sale for $5 (cash only) weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the games office in the Hemmingway Building, 25 Sir Winston Churchill Ave. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Admission is free for the following 13 sports:
Alpine skiing
Snow Valley: Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Badminton
Red Willow Badminton Club: Friday and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bowling (fivepin)
St. Albert Bowling Centre: Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Bridge
Servus Place (multipurpose room): Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Carpet bowling
Servus Place (gymnasium): Friday and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cross-country skiing
Red Willow Park: Friday 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Curling
St. Albert and Spruce Grove curling clubs: Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to noon (St. Albert).
Darts
Royal Canadian Legion: Friday and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Euchre
St. Albert Senior Citizens' Club: Friday and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hockey
Akinsdale, Kinex and Servus Place: Friday and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Pool (snooker)
St. Albert Senior Citizens' Club: Friday and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Scrabble
Servus Place (Qualico room): Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Shuffleboard
St. Albert Senior Citizens' Club: Friday and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
