THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - A new sporting and games event with a difference is being planned in Fort Smith.

The event, which is so new it does not yet have a name or a list of activities, will be for NWT seniors 55 years of age and older.

The Fort Smith Seniors' Society has been discussing hosting the event for several months and decided at a June 2 meeting to proceed with the idea. The society has already decided to hold the new event on Aug. 12 to 14.

The concept was proposed to the society by Janie Hobart, who has become chair of the organizing committee.

"It's fashioned after the Canada 55-Plus Games," said Hobart, who is not a member of the seniors' society, but is involved in a number of Fort Smith sports.

Seniors will be specifically invited to participate from several regions - the South Slave, the Deh Cho and the North Slave. That would include communities such as Yellowknife, Behchoko, Fort Simpson, Fort Providence, Hay River and Fort Resolution.

Hobart also said that seniors from elsewhere in the NWT would also be welcomed. She describes this year's event as a pilot project.

"I'm hoping it will definitely become something that will become an annual event," she said.

She said the idea is to help promote physical, spiritual and mental well-being among seniors. The event will give seniors the opportunity to compete in a friendly atmosphere with people their own ages, she added.

Hobart said many seniors currently help celebrate the success of youth by acting as coaches and officials.

"I think there should be an opportunity for (seniors) to participate, as well," she said.

While a list of games and activities has not yet been finalized, they would likely have a competitive and learning component.

The learning component would allow seniors to participate in games and activities they might not have ever tried before, such as archery and handgames.

Leon Peterson, president of the Fort Smith Seniors' Society, described the upcoming event as a "little friendly competition."

Peterson said it will likely feature events such as golf, card games, swimming, darts, horseshoes, handgames and more.

"We're hoping that there will be 100 people involved in this," he said.

Peterson is looking forward to the games. "It's going to be a blast," he said.

The society president added other communities could also host the event in coming years.