Flames alumni to play in Strathmore

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Strathmore 2015 Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games committee is proud to announce that, in partnership with the Lakewood Meadows, they will be hosting a Calgary Flames Alumni game on March 15 (5 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre.
“There was a group of us sitting around and one of our things that we wanted to do with the Games is we do have to raise funds to have the Games here and in doing so, we’re going out to our corporate people around town and asking them for money. Everybody has been really supportive and our thoughts are that we wanted to bring some fun things to Strathmore that help us raise funds for the games,” said Colleen Huber, games manager.
The dealings with the Flames alumni association has been nothing short of positive and they were more than willing to participate in the game.
“They’ve been good about it and the reason I think it’s been so easy for us to this is the help of Neal Coulter and Lakewood Meadows, just because he is a part of the alumni and he has kind of championed the event for us,” said Huber.
The Games committee really wanted to make the community of Strathmore aware of how significant the Games will be in the community.
“It’s one of the biggest events that Strathmore has ever put on. We’re doing these fundraisers with the hockey game coming in March, then we’re doing a golf tournament in May (and) a Beatles tribute band coming in June,” said Huber.
Tickets for the game are $15 (over the age of 12), kids (aged 6-11) and seniors are $10 and kids under five are free. Tickets to the meet and greet at the Strathmore Civic Centre, following the game, are $10.
“We are (also) doing a family pack, which is four tickets (two adults, two children) for $40,” said Huber. “We’re keeping prices really reasonable because that’s what we want is it to be a community event, people get excited about it and come out and do it.”
Former NHL player and Calgary Flames Alumni member, Neal Coulter, is very thrilled to be involved in the game not only on behalf of Lakewood Meadows, but as a player to see the excitement of the community.
“A friend of mind is involved with bringing the Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games to Strathmore. We got talking and I said I’m involved with the Flames Alumni, Dennis (Polonich), a captain with the Detroit Red Wings, works tirelessly at events like this,” said Coulter. “We met with Colleen and it was difficult getting a time that would work with everybody’s schedules. Lakewood Meadows decided as one of the principal sponsors to bring that event to Strathmore, just trying to get a bit more awareness and put some positive input into the 55 Plus Games.”
Coulter has been exceptionally impressed with how the Flames Alumni have been able to make these events happen and how much support they put into them.
“We filled 12 spots in two days, it was really well received. We might have changes between now and then on players, guys are anxious to give back to the communities,” said Coulter.
Tickets for the alumni game are available at the Strathmore 2015 Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games office, which is beside Gold Key Registry or by calling them at 403-934-1580.