SPORTS TALK: Lloydminster games could be a stepping stone for bigger things

By Greg Buchanan

It was one big week for Lloydminster.

The Saskatchewan Summer Games came and went in the Border City. The summer games haven’t been held since 2016, and the previous games in 2020 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Games showcased 1,504 athletes competing in 14 different sports from 221 communities.

They featured sports like softball, baseball, soccer, basketball, and volleyball, as well as some less-participating ones like archery, canoeing, and kayaking.

Beach volleyball was a highlight at Bud Miller All Seasons Park. There’s quite a big beach volleyball community in Lloydminster, so they were quite excited to be able to add that as an event. We were prepared and able to do some upgrades to their facility in anticipation of the games.

There was also an opportunity for Special Olympics athletes who participated in the sport of bocce ball.

For some of the athletes, Lloydminster could be a stepping stone to bigger things, including wearing the Maple Leaf. As Paris gets ready to light the Olympic Torch and has the world sporting spotlight for the upcoming Olympics, we can imagine that in 10 years time or more, some of those future Olympians may have got their start right here in Lloydminster.