SHEDIAC, NB – Aug. 26, 2016 – It’s official: the sixth edition of the Jeux de l’Acadie 50 Years + Games will be staged in PEI’s Evangeline region Sept. 13-16, 2018. This will be the first time the Games are ever held outside of New Brunswick.

The big news was publicly revealed during the closing ceremonies of the 5th edition of the Jeux 50+ Games in Shediac, NB, Sunday, Aug. 21. A delegation from PEI – composed of the mayors of the Evangeline area’s two host municipalities, Alcide Bernard of Wellington and Roger Gallant of Abram-Village, the president of the 2018 Jeux organizing committee, Claude Blaquière, and the president of the PEI Francophone Seniors’ Association, Yvonne Pitre, along with several proud PEI participants – graciously accepted the Games flag during a special flag-presentation ceremony.

The Island organizers are overjoyed at the idea of welcoming to their province more than 300 participants from PEI, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland-and-Labrador and Quebec (Gaspé and Magdalen Islands).

“The Jeux 50+ Games are an excellent opportunity to build friendship with Acadian and francophone friends from Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec and to promote active living among people aged 50 years and over,” says Jeux 2018 president Claude Blaquière. “The four days of the Games will include sports, recreational, cultural and health and wellness activities.”

MAJOR SPINOFFS

It is anticipated that the Games will generate more than $100,000 in economic spinoffs for the province, especially in the Evangeline and Summerside areas.

Organizers are expecting to hold the Games events in a number of locations, including the Mont-Carmel Parish Hall, the Centre Goéland in Cape Egmont, the Wellington Legion, the Centre Vanier in Wellington, the Centre Belle-Alliance in Summerside, as well as the Exhibition Grounds, the Acadian Musical Village, the Club 50 and Evangeline School, all in Abram-Village.

Blaquière says organizational work has already begun. One of the first tasks will be to recruit volunteers to sit on the organizing committee. The president remains confident that Islanders will answer the call and make the 6th edition of the most memorable Games ever.

“Over the next few months, Acadians and Francophones aged 50 + will be made aware of the importance of these Games and the wellness benefits they can gain from participating,” he added. “It will be a pleasure to greet all the participants Sept. 13-16, 2018, in our beautiful Evangeline region, at a gathering focussed on active living, wellness and community involvement for those of us who are 50 years and over.”

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CUTLINE: On Aug. 21, Jean-Guy Frenette, left, new president of the Jeux de l’Acadie 50+ Games, officially presented the Games flag to the Prince Edward Island delegation that will host the 6th edition of the Games in September 2018. Seen accepting the flag are Wellington mayor Alcide Bernard, Claude Blaquière, president of the 2018 JA 50+ organizing committee, Abram-Village mayor Roger Gallant and Yvonne Pitre, president of the PEI Francophone Seniors’ Association.

 

For more information:
Claude Blaquière, president
2018 Jeux de l’Acadie 50+ Games
(902) 854-3256 (residence)
(902) 439-1094 (cell)
claude2.blaquiere@gmail.com