Bowling tournament reaches milestone

The CACL Ken Gage Memorial Bowling Tournament is celebrating its 25th year of supporting people with disabilities.

Ken Gage's daughter, Kendra Gage, was on hand to throw the first ball of the milestone tournament at the Mike Adam Recreation Complex, on April 30.

Her father ran the tournament before he died eight years ago and was heavily involved with the Labrador West Association for Community Living (LWACL), so Kendra decided to do a project on it for her school's heritage fair.

"The project is called Label Jars Not People because mentally challenged people should be treated as equals," she explained. "There's a little section about the bowling tournament and how he, (Ken Gage), contributed to it and how it was important to him. I'm sure that he would be really happy that I care about it as much as he does."

This year, 68 teams have entered the bowling tournament, which is slightly down from last year's 72 teams, informed Tony Lawrence, president of LWACL and bowling tournament organizer.

Each team has four bowlers, he explained, whose total pin fall will be calculated over three games for the team to be placed in the A, B, or C divisions. Then, he added, the top four teams in each division will play in the championships for each division based on total pin fall, and the tournament will wrap-up May 22.

Thousands raised

According to Lawrence, they managed to raise approximately $10,000 each year which comes from the entrance fee, bar, 50/50 draw, and donations.

He said that by opening night this year they received $2,000 in donations and local businesses donated prizes including a Provincial Airlines return ticket.

Lawrence informed that all the money raised goes to the Labrador West Association for Community Living and covers the overall running of the association, transportation to conferences, wheelchair ramps, and help with schooling for people with disabilities.

The association advocates on behalf of people with disabilities and, he added, it makes people aware of accessibility issues with things such as parking or washrooms.

Lawrence recalled that when the bowling tournament started in 1985 they didn't know what to expect or know that it would last this long.

Having a son with Down Syndrome, Lawrence explained that the LWACL went a long way in improving his son's quality of life so that he would not be excluded from school, events, or sports.

However, he went on to say, Ken Gage didn't have anyone with disabilities, but nevertheless believed such persons should be included in the community.

Mayor of Wabush Ron Barron remembered Ken Gage as a sweet man and believes that the longevity of the bowling tournament shows the community's support.

He expressed that it's all about promoting inclusion and making sure that everyone's treated the same way.

"Obviously, a person's right to be involved in the community is a fundamental right," expressed Labrador City Mayor Janice Barnes.

She said that the bowling tournament is fun and recreational, as well as a great opportunity to honour a man who gave a lot to persons with disabilities, so people should come out to learn why it's still around.