How the Canada 55+ Games Will Affect BC Camping
After being postponed due to the COVID 19 Pandemic in 2020, the Canada 55+ Games are returning to Kamloops and are scheduled to take place on August 23rd - 26th, 2022. With the games expected to welcome over 2,500 athletes in 26 sports, it's natural for RVers in the area to be concerned about how the campsites will be affected. While most of the participants and spectators will be seeking accommodation at nearby hotels and inns, a few are expected to camp during the weekend as well.
The 2022 Canada 55 + Games will include both opening and closing ceremonies as well as a variety of cultural events being hosted nightly during the week of competition. While sources don’t indicate that the games themselves will be taking place on any known campgrounds, here are just some of the locations within the Kamloops area you can expect to see an influx of campers during the Games:
Our recommendations for camping during this period? Here are just a few:
- Book your campground early! Secure your spot so that you have nothing to worry about. You can book a campsite through the BC Parks Campsite Registration Portal, where you can book a site up to two months in advance.
- Plan for traffic. There is nothing worse than hitting the road, excited to make it to your campsite, only to encounter hours of unexpected traffic. You may want to book a half-day at work so you can leave early, or stay an extra day at your campsite to avoid traffic congestion.
- Be creative. There are many BC residents who happily open their properties up to RVers, providing space, hookups, and even emergency services. You can check out apps like Campendium or Allstays for hot tips on where to park if you’re on-the-go and running low on options.
- Be friendly. Show our visitors why Kamloops is such a great place to live, visit, and support! We love our community and we know our customers do too, so offer directions, advice, or a friendly smile when you can. And if you run into somebody having RV troubles? Well, you know the perfect Kamloops RV dealership where you can send them!
Connect With the Community
The 55+ Games provide an excellent opportunity for RVers from all over the country to get acquainted with our great community. Participants, organizers, and spectators alike get to experience collective enrichment, fulfillment, and improved quality of life provided by the broad variety of athletic, recreational and social events.
Pre-COVID, the city was hosting more than 100 tournaments a year. Kamloops earned its place on the sporting map back in the 1990s with the opening of the Riverside Coliseum (1992), which is now called the Sandman Centre and is home to the Kamloops Blazers hockey team. The 1993 Canada Summer Games brought teams here from across the country and when the $37 million Tournament Capital Centre opened in 2006 it cemented Kamloops’ reputation as the Tournament Capital of Canada.
With our community’s state-of-the-art sports facilities and an international reputation as an excellent host city, the Canada 55+ Games are sure to be an event to remember. Whether you hope to avoid the crowds or cheer on from the sidelines, South Thompson RV is always here to help with all your RV and camping needs!
