The Duncan Banner

Local News

September 2, 2010

Simmons Center prepares for Senior Games

Derrick Miller The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — For the past 15 years, the Simmons Center has had one day dedicated to getting people, ages 50 and older, moving and having fun.

In the 16th year, the Southwest Oklahoma Senior Games will continue the traditions created all those years ago. And as the deadline for registration nears, other preparations have already been taken to get ready.

Pat Bowles, games coordinator, said, “This is No. 16. I am looking forward to it.”

The deadline to sign up for the games is Sept. 14 with registrations being taken at the Simmons Center. The program is set for 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Simmons Center. People will be able to pick up their T-shirts between 8 and 9 a.m., with 9 a.m. set for the opening ceremony.

Bowles said there were about 100 participants in last year’s games, but this is a step up from the first year, when participation was about 50 people. She said the most people who have taken part in the games in any one year was 125 people.

She said she gets people from various places, including Duncan, throughout Stephens County, Lawton, various areas in Comanche County, Norman, Ardmore, Anadarko, Oklahoma City, and Wichita Falls, Texas. She said someone from Kansas did participate in last years event.

“I don’t want it to be competitive,” Bowles said. “I like the physical aspect. They get to have fun, and they don’t realize they’re exercising.

“The important thing is to keep them moving.”

The Senior Games are open to adults 50 years old or older. People wanting to take part do not have to be members of the Simmons Center; they just have to fall in the age eligibility.

Before the games started at the Simmons Center, Bowles used to take a group of senior citizens to Oklahoma City Community College to participate in the senior games there.

But as time went on, the Simmons Center director at the time suggested Bowles create the games at the Simmons Center and to bring the adults there.

“She said we had the facilities to do what they do,” Bowles said. “We got it going that way.”

She said having the games at the Simmons Center helps because there are employees who can give an extra hand if needed.

The games featured during the event include low-impact aerobics (both land and water), basketball throw, table tennis, darts, line dancing, yoga, shuffleboard and many other activities. A new activity this year is badminton.

Bowles said the oldest attendee of the games gets a watch. Last year, the participant was from Lawton.

For information about the Southwest Senior Games, call the Simmons Center at 580-252-2900, ext. 232 or 221.



— Derrick Miller is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 160, or via e-mail at derrick.miller@duncanbanner.com.

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