After three days of good-spirited competition, the 2000 Saskatchewan 55 Plus Games drew to a close Wednesday at the Weyburn Curling Club, with the host Zone 1 team placing second overall.

With more than 700 competitors visiting Weyburn from the eight zones throughout the province to take part in 27 different events, Games co-chairman Ray Hamm was impressed with how smooth the event went off.

"It was absolutely great and a fantastic experience," said Hamm. "I talked to quite a few of the coordinators of the event and they said (this was) the best group they've worked with."

Although the main focus of the Games is on socialization, fun and fitness, don't think for a minute these participants weren't geared for the overall championship to take home to their zone.

Named after long-time Zone 1 Coordinator and participant Marjorie Willson for her commitment to get the Games where they are now, the overall points plaque made its way into the hands of Regina's Zone 2 who tallied 288.5 points throughout the event, 26 point ahead of the host Zone 1 side which settled for the runners-up title.

Saskatoon's Zone 6 was next as they totaled 239.5 points with Zone 5 (Central Sask.), Zone 3 (Southwest Sask.), Zone 8 (Northern Sask.), Zone 4 (Yorkton/Melville) and Zone 7 (Northwest Sask.) rounding out the field in respective order.

Willson, who has competed in the Games since their conception in the mid-80's, medaled for Zone 1 in the predicted-time walking competition and spoke highly of the event when comparing to past Games.

"It was very good and extremely well-done," said Willson. "(The Games) keep people well, they are not going to the hospitals or nursing homes and that makes a tremendous difference."

With the Games' next host still yet to be determined, Hamm invites communities to think of the 55 Plus Games as they proved very rewarding to Weyburn.

"We would encourage any communities interested in hosting any event to pick this because it's a dandy," said Hamm, who said this year's organizing committee has expressed interest in returning the Games to Weyburn sometime in the future.