We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.

Mary Boonstra
President
Abbotsford Police Department – Constable – Recruiting

Mary was born and raised in Abbotsford and has strong connections to the community. She has been involved in numerous organizations and has been a member of the Smart & Caring Community Grants Committee for the past five years.

Mary was the recipient of the 2017 Abbotsford Community Builder of the Year and was a two-time recipient of the

Abbotsford Arts Council – Arty Awards for her passion in theatre. She was the founder of Business in Black entertaining  Business Excellence Awards audiences for 15 years, the Director of the Abbotsford Heat ‘Fever’ Dance Team and the Director of Ceremonies for the 2016 BC Summer Games.

Mary is thrilled to be the President of the 55+ BC Games as she loves the community of Abbotsford and is thrilled to be working with such an amazing team!

Caren Duyns
Vice President
Abbotsford Police Department – Administrative Assistant

Having enjoyed living in Abbotsford for the past 30 years, Caren feels taking a lead role in the 55+ BC Games is a privilege, as Abbotsford has recently experienced tremendous loss and adversity due to floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. Caren is excited that we have the opportunity to welcome BC to our great “City in the Country,” as a way to give back to our community.

Leah Garrigus
Board Member – Security
Abbotsford Police Department – Constable

Leah has been a police officer for over 10 years and prior to that was a 911 dispatcher and a border officer with CBSA. In high school Leah worked at Tim Hortons and says she still loves donuts.

She has always been involved in sports someway or another, describing herself as a gym rat. She grew up living and breathing basketball, throughout high school and university playing, refereeing and coaching. Leah loves the idea of being a part of a team and the challenge of good competition. She is excited to be a part of the 55+ BC Games and support the athletes.

Leah feels honoured to be a police officer in Abbotsford as the citizens have supported the department and it’s officers through hard times; such as the death of John Davidson in 2017 and the floods in November 2022. She loves her community and volunteering for the games is her way of giving back to them.

Bruce Nicholson
Board Member – Sport
Offshore School Representative and Inclusive Education Teacher

Bruce truly believes in the importance of bringing multi-sport Games and events to Abbotsford and British Columbia. He feels if we all give back we all benefit. Passing it forward is investing in the future so the benefits are both widespread and ongoing.

Dr. Stan Petersen
Board Member – Sport

Dr. Stan Petersen is excited and honoured to be the Co-Sport Director for the 55+ BC Games. Stan is a long time Abbotsford resident and is a retired educator having served as a teacher, vice-principal, and principal for 35 years in the Abbotsford School District. Currently Stan is in his fourth term as an Abbotsford School District Trustee.

Abbotsford has been a wonderful community for his family and friends. His children were involved in many of the sporting opportunities offered in the city and now his grandchildren are doing the same. Abbotsford has a long, proud history of volunteerism and Stan is glad to be part of that history.

Stan served and continues to serve on many community volunteer organizations including as the Vice-President of the 2016 BC Summer Games hosted in Abbotsford. He loves his community and is pleased to be able to help with what will be the best 55+ BC Games ever.

Barb Roberts
Board Member – Ceremonies
Tourism Abbotsford – Destination & Industry Development Manager

Barb is a long-time member of the Abbotsford community and has recently joined the Tourism Abbotsford team, working collaboratively with tourism partners and the community, always striving to find innovative and creative solutions that support success and happiness.

Barb is happy to be a part of these games as she has a passion for leading and coordinating special events and developing strong partnerships and fostering long-lasting relationships throughout the whole community. Community and creating positive spaces and places and experiences for people to connect and enjoy, it important to Barb.

Stacey McLeod
Board Member – Tech Services
Abbotsford Police Department – Senior Technical Analyst

Stacey feels the City of Abbotsford is a wonderful place to live, work and play and the 55+ BC Games will show off our community to the thousands of  participants who attend. She can’t wait to witness all their amazing accomplishments and cheer everyone on.

Stacey took on her role in the Games because she believes strong communities foster social connection and create a sense of belonging, especially important for our older citizens. The Games will allow us to celebrate and be inspired by all of the participants, while strengthening their ties to each other.

Dr. Tyler Oosterhof
Board Member – Medical Services
Sumas Mtn Sport and Spine – Chiropractor

Working with a wide range of athletes in his professional life, as well as being involved personally in sport, Tyler developed a passion for the athletic community in Abbotsford. He has volunteered with sports teams of all ages in Abbotsford over the years and saw the 55+ BC Games as a great opportunity to support athletics in Abbotsford and continue to give back to the community.

Kim Hissink
Board Member – Registration & Results
Salvation Army Abbotsford/Mission – Fundraising Coordinator

Kim is privileged to work for a long established Christian based organization who come alongside the vulnerable individuals and families to provide compassionate care.

She was honoured to be invited to serve on the 55+BC Games board to support the team, chairs, volunteers and participants. Abbotsford has a well- deserved reputation of putting on exceptional games and Kim feels excited to be a part of what will be one of the premiere events of the summer. She can’t wait to host participants from all around BC, welcome their friends and families and work with the dedicated community of volunteers.

Kim has lived in Abbotsford for 54 years and feels it’s a wonderful place to live, work, play and raise a family. Giving back is important to Kim and volunteering for a wide variety of boards, events and organizations such as Abbotsford Rotary is such a rewarding part of her life. Kim is also involved in Cascade Community Church.  She love to meet new people, to be part of a team and to make a difference in her community.

Alex Mitchell
Board Member – Protocol
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce – CEO

Alex is proud of the legacy the Games will leave in our City, including the power of sport bringing people together. As a proud Abbotsford resident, Alex can’t wait to see the City and residents showcased as a welcoming place for residents, visitors, and newcomers alike.

Investing in our community helps to create a stronger sense of belonging for those who live here, she believes. and Abbotsford is an incredible community made of incredible people who work tirelessly to bring people together and foster connections and relationships in service of others.

James Grant
Board Member – Transportation
First Transit/BC Transit Fraser Valley – Lead Transit Supervisor

James was honoured to be invited to the Board as it showed that what he does in the community is noticed and appreciated. He feels the 55+ BC Games is something special and important to Abbotsford.

James was raised in Abbotsford and it’s where he’s raised his children. He’s enjoyed being part of the community and will always support Abbotsford in any way that he can. James has worked with many of the Board Members in the past and he looks forward to continuing his relationships long into the future.

Jasdeep Aujla
Board Member – Administration
ALG Lawyers – Principal

Sports have always been a part of Jas’ life and the idea of contributing to the 55+ BC Games was in line with his belief that physical activity in social settings is fundamental to overall health.

Born and raised in Abbotsford, community is very important to Jas as he drew so much from it growing up. Jas was the first South Asian from Abbotsford to play CIS football at UBC which he believes was made possible with the community providing support and resources. Through the 55+ BC Games Jas can give back to a community he received so much from.

Manjit Sohi
Board Member – Administration
Sohi Consulting & Code Solutions – President

Manjit has been involved with youth and amateur sports for over two decades in various capacities, including as a board members, secretary, treasure and president. These games promote a healthy, active and meaningful seniors’ life style. They bring a sense of community and cultures together. Manjit feels an active lifestyle is a healthy lifestyle.

Manjit moved to Abbotsford in 1988 and quickly realized how great the community was. He and his wife, Amrit, have raised three children in Abbotsford. He feels blessed to be a part of the community and it’s his time to pay it back, contributing to the well-being so the community continues to flourish.

Carly Ferguson
Board Member – Promotions
Black Press Media – Group Publisher

Carly has worked in fundraising, public relations and marketing throughout her professional career. She has worked in the non-profit, financial and media industries. Carly has always been a volunteer, going back to elementary and high school where she started organizing events and fundraisers. Carly’s first volunteer role in a multi-sport games was in Abbotsford in 1995 and she has volunteered in all games events in the community since that time. Past games have left significant legacies, including memories, friendships and accomplishments and Carly understands the work it takes to make that happen. Carly welcomed the opportunity to lead the Promotions team working with some of the most talented, creative and energetic leaders in Abbotsford.  

Milt Walker
Board Member – Honorary Director

Milt has been a part of all multi-sports games held in Abbotsford since 1995 and finds the experience very rewarding with the opportunity to meet so many, many skilled athletes, dedicated volunteers and enthusiastic spectators. All of the past Games have showcased Abbotsford in a very positive light and he expects the same with the 2023 55+ BC Games.

Milt feels community is all about the coming together of all its members to share their diversity, their talents, and their curiosity about one another, making all of our lived experiences more valued and joyful.

Tanya Hutchison
Staff – Operations Manager

Tanya brings a variety of experience to the 55+ BC Games, including St. John Ambulance, Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Delta Hospital Foundation and BC Lions Football Club, to name a few.

Community has always been very important to Tanya and she believes in giving back to the community and country as she dedicates her free time to volunteering and working with the Cadet Program and Canadian Forces. Tanya started volunteering at a very young age and believes that a strong community can overcome any obstacle together.

Tanya thought the Games sound fun and coupled with her love of events, wanted to help bring it to life. wanted to be part of the games because it sounded so fun! She participated in the BC Games in her youth, an experience she will never forget.

The 55+ BC Games are so important to encourage all ages to keep active while having fun doing it She will enjoy the sporting events and the camaraderie it brings.