The organizers for the SSFA 55 plus Games opened their office at 201-157 Third St. on Monday and were informed a grant had been approved for them.

The Saskatchewan Games Council had written out a $30,000 cheque which was waiting for the committee when they arrived for the ceremony on the second floor in the Federal Building.

The Saskatchewan Games Council funds various amateur sporting events and amateur athletes through funding it receives from Saskatchewan Lotteries.

This $30,000 grant will cover about one-third of the entire operating budget for the Games, which is about $90,000. The remaining budget will be funded through athlete registrations and sponsorship arrangements made with the business community.

"Our sponsorship program is going very well," said Games co-chairman Bill Rudachyk. "We are very pleased with the level of co-operation we are receiving from local businesses. This will go a long way to make sure the games go very well."

While the object of the organizing committee is to break even, and is trying to secure more funding, if the Games budget ends in surplus, the remaining money will be directed towards seniors activities in Weyburn.

Aside from the grand opening of the Games' office in the Federal Building across from the PFRA office, the committee introduced the two summer students who have been hired to help the organizing committee do administrative tasks.

Jenna Tuchscherer and Nikki Rudachyk started working at their positions on Tuesday and will be in the office until Aug. 15. Their work before the games will include processing athlete registrations and overall games promotion. After the games in July, they will be assisting with the final reports.

Bill Rudachyk said the two students will likely travel to other zone championships to promote the games to the athletes and encourage them to attend the provincial finals in Weyburn. Aside from attracting athletes and participants from other areas of Saskatchewan, he also hopes local seniors will take part in the Games.

"We want to show everyone in the region that they can be winners here," said Bill Rudachyk.