After years without a Special Olympics chapter in the Battlefords, interested volunteers came out in full force to bring it back Monday night.
Rick Sanden, community development and project coordinator for Special Olympics Saskatchewan, said he had to bring out more chairs twice at the meeting to seat everyone who attended. He hoped there would be between six and 10 volunteers, but about 25 showed up and he couldn't have been happier with the support.
"I'm just floored. I'm just so pleased with how it worked out there," said Sanden. "It's to help the people here in the Battlefords, so that's what it's about, helping the folks that don't have as many opportunities as the rest of us."
The chapter is now running, but some work still needs to be done. The group is meeting again Oct. 7 at the Don Ross Centre to finish registration and decide what programs they will operate. Various swimming programs and bowling are expected to be offered by Special Olympics North Battleford because the facilities are in the city and easily accessible.
"Battlefords has got lots of facilities here they're going to be in a financial crunch here for a while. If they could get some support from service clubs or something like that, that would be awesome to get them going," said Sanden.
The group will also need to find coaches to run the programs and get athletes registered. Volunteers have already been chosen to lead the two youth programs Special Olympics offers. One is for ages two to six and the other for ages six to 12.
It's been years since Special Olympics has had a branch in the Battlefords. Sanden said it was here in 1995, the last time he lived in the area, but there are conflicting stories as to why it left.
"I haven't looked at it. Don't care, water under the bridge, time to move on," he said.
Sanden's just happy it's back and is optimistic about the impact it will have on athletes in North Battleford.
"It will give them an opportunity to compete and practice in a sport. Develop more skills and with that there will be more self-confidence. 'It's training for life' is one of our tag lines and I believe that," he said.
The group is still looking for more volunteers. Anyone interested can call the volunteer and athlete registration co-ordinator, Karen Reimer, at 306-445-8927.
The rest of the team is made up of: Cynthia Mundt, community manager; Linda Machniak, treasurer; Yvonne Nyholt, Bill Sabraw and Karen Highton, directors at large; and Lecia Chalupiak, secretary.
