The first weekend in June is a highlight of the summer B次元官网网址� maybe even the year B次元官网网址� for Heather Light.
For 15 years, sheB次元官网网址檚 competed at Operation Trackshoes, a sporting event for those with developmental disabilities held at the University of Victoria.
As part of the West Coast Reach choir, the Sidney woman is stoked to sing in the athletes during the opening parade this year, but behind that joy lurks a sadness.
After decades of building relationships and life-changing moments, the 50th event June 9 to 11 marks the last lap for the track and field event that started in 1971.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very, very, very sad about it because most of my friends live in Vancouver and they come from Vancouver to go to UVic and I get to see them once a year. I look forward to it,B次元官网网址� Light said. B次元官网网址淣ow I wonB次元官网网址檛 see them anymore after this year so IB次元官网网址檓 going to be really sad.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 also a sad time for founding member and president Judith Armstrong, who has been there since the first half-day event of just track and field. That quickly evolved into an overnight event that drew competitors from around the province to stay in dorms at the University of Victoria using a camp model B次元官网网址� it built relationships and changed lives.
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Jackson Skerratt started as a counsellor to fulfill high school volunteer credits.
B次元官网网址淚 signed up for one weekend and I ended up going back, probably 10 years in total since. I just loved it,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檝e never met a happier group of people in your entire life. The whole weekend is full of smiles.B次元官网网址�
Now the weekend includes the standard track competition B次元官网网址� Light likes running, standing jump, shot, wheelbarrow race and other activities.
B次元官网网址淚 think a highlight would be the dinner dance B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 really hard not to enjoy yourself at that moment in time,B次元官网网址� Skerratt said.
The dance is too much for Light - she hangs out in the dorm instead. ItB次元官网网址檚 just another thing sheB次元官网网址檒l miss B次元官网网址� the independence of a weekend away from home, sleeping in a dorm.
There was a point in the 1980s where it peaked at 900 competitors, Armstrong said. With other opportunities now available, about 400 people from around B.C. take part each year B次元官网网址� except the last three. Health restrictions led to cancelled events, and a smaller one-day return for 2022.
This year, theyB次元官网网址檙e back full bore for the finale and Armstrong looks forward to the Friday afternoon arrivals, where folks from around the province roll into the parking lot and greet old friends.
B次元官网网址淚t will be a loss. One group talked about how their group saves up so they can come very year. WeB次元官网网址檝e got groups that have been coming a long time,B次元官网网址� Armstrong said. B次元官网网址淲e know that individuals have stayed in touch through the years. ItB次元官网网址檚 one of those things that has the potential to broaden everyoneB次元官网网址檚 circle.B次元官网网址�
It had that effect on Skerratt. The experience was so positive, he spread the word to his friends.
B次元官网网址淵ou can go in and just be a good person and youB次元官网网址檙e going to have so much fun,B次元官网网址� Skerratt said. B次元官网网址淭hey all have great things to say about it.B次元官网网址�
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Even with a hectic work schedule and a young family, he plans to stop by for a visit this June.
What started as providing an accessible opportunity, remains a legacy of the organization for athletes and counsellors B次元官网网址� some people found their calling after volunteering.
B次元官网网址淲hat I still see is people with other opportunities still come back to Operation Trackshoes because itB次元官网网址檚 been the place of connection. We really do ensure that you can participate at any level of ability,B次元官网网址� Armstrong said.
The detail and organization that goes into the event is huge.
Running a sporting event solely by volunteer power, for people with complex needs, is massive and as the board approached the 50th anniversary, which would have been 2020, they started looking at a succession plan.
Despite the work the last few years, no new leadership has come forward.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a huge event and weB次元官网网址檙e entirely volunteer run,B次元官网网址� Armstrong said.
SheB次元官网网址檒l miss watching the groups sitting in circles and chatting, exuding an air of welcome and inclusivity.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been an important piece of my life,B次元官网网址� Armstrong said.
Light just hopes something will change, but plans to worry about that after this yearB次元官网网址檚 event.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 hoping that they change their mind. Wait and see what they say. IB次元官网网址檓 just sad about it,B次元官网网址� Light said.
Organizers are still looking for volunteers to help coordinate the final year June 9 and 10. Those interested can email info@trackshoes.ca.
