Steinbach named host of 2025 Manitoba 55+ Games

The 2025 Manitoba 55+ Games are coming to Steinbach.

Audrey Harder is Chair of Steinbach's host committee. She says they put in a bid and then this week it was announced that they have been selected.

"Very excited," says Harder. "A little nervous, but very excited because I can't wait to host them."

The Games will be held in two segments. Harder says they will host curling in March and then the Summer Games will take place from June 3rd to 5th. 

Harder says when they first started planning their bid, they looked at the possibility of running all the events in Steinbach. However, she notes that now that it is official they will have to see whether that makes sense. If it does not, she says they may need to reach out to surrounding communities for help.

However, Harder says the new Southeast Event Centre will be a perfect site for hosting many of the events. 

"The Southeast Event Centre is going to be an amazing centre for this, with pickleball, the floor curling, all of that can be in there," she explains. "We have great golf courses; we have fantastic baseball fields."

Harder says the Games are expected to bring about one thousand athletes to Steinbach, which she says will be great for the local economy.

"Not only are we showcasing our event centre but we are also a welcoming community, and it will be great for people to come here and meet us and realize how wonderful Steinbach can be," adds Harder. "Maybe you will get people to come back and use our facilities after as well. A little bit of bragging and a little bit of showcasing what we have."

On Wednesday, five members of Steinbach's host committee including Harder, Vice Chair Doug Graham, and committee members Cathy Jago, Liz Chapman, and Bev Warkentin spent time in Brandon touring the 2024 Games and meeting with their host committee. Harder says they were able to learn more about how the Games run.

Harder says it will take about 150 volunteers to run the Games. Anyone interested in volunteering should email info@patporteralc.com.

Steinbach last hosted the Manitoba 55+ Games 14 years ago.