Woodbridge to carry torch for Senior Olympics Township to host games for the first time this September BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer WOODBRIDGE - Let the senior games begin. After months of hard work, township officials announced that the township would host this year's New Jersey Senior Olympics and are ready to light the torch. "Everything is in place," said Mike Garamella, who is the executive director of the New Jersey Senior Olympic Committee and has been involved with the committee for the last 20 years. "I am very enthusiastic that this is going to work." Garamella said over the years the Senior Olympics has been held at Fort Dix, Fort Monmouth, Kean University and Freehold Township, but nothing compares to Woodbridge. "The Woodbridge facilities are impeccable, they are all state-of-the-art," he said. "It's been hard over the years because we don't get any state funding anymore." Since February, Pat Trombetta, Frank St. Marie and Chester Kinal have worked with Garamella to bring the Senior Olympics to Woodbridge. "We brought the idea to the mayor [John E. McCormac]," said St. Marie. "He has been enthusiastic ever since and asked us to chair the event." McCormac announced that the township would host the Olympics at the monthly meeting of the Woodbridge Chapter of AARP Chapter No. 3869 at St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church in Avenel. The Senior Olympics will be held on Sept. 7, 8 and 9 on fields and facilities in and around the township, which include the YMCA at the Woodbridge Community Center, The Club at Woodbridge, the Woodbridge High School track and event fields, county and municipal parks, and private venue facilities that include bowling centers and nearby golf courses. The Community Center and The Club at Woodbridge provide a combination of multipurpose recreational and sporting facilities, including a full-size gymnasium, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a roller-skating rink, an NHL-size hockey and ice-skating rink, a wellness center, a walking track, meeting rooms, and recreational and lounge areas. Olympic ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. on Sept. 8 outside the YMCA at the Community Center. The ceremonies will highlight the nature of the games and competition and will feature participants competing in each sport. The 15 sporting events include archery, basketball foul shooting, three-on-three basketball, bocce, billiards, bowling, cycling, darts, golf, horseshoes, racquetball, team softball, swimming, tennis, and track and field. Male or female senior athletes - 50 years of age and older - will compete for the gold, silver and bronze in various age categories. "Billiards are new this year," said Trombetta. "Chester [Kinal] will be chairing the event." Trombetta, St. Marie and Kinal are all part of the Senior Billiards Club in Woodbridge, which began in 2003. Kinal, who will turn 80 years old next month, has competed in the Senior Olympics five times. "I have won three silver medals and one gold," said Kinal, a softball pitcher. Kinal will participate in the nationals this year, which will run from June 22 to July 7 in Louisville, Ky. Nationals run every two years and are held in different locations. "There will be over 12,000 seniors from across the country participating in the nationals this year including 300 seniors from New Jersey," said Garamella. Garamella said the Senior Olympics is "New Jersey's best-kept secret" and gives seniors "something to do and a better quality of life." "This event is not only about winning and competition, but about enjoying yourselves," said Garamella to the members of the Woodbridge AARP. St. Marie told the members not to think "I can't do anything like that" or I am too old." Instead, he told them to look at former Woodbridge resident and member of the Woodbridge Chapter AARP Marty Burns. "He didn't think he could participate in the Olympics either," said St. Marie. "He entered the free-throw shooting event at the age of 80. He qualified to go to the nationals in California and came back with the gold medal in the event." St. Marie received gasps from the 50 or so Woodbridge Chapter AARP members. McCormac said he was extremely proud that the township was selected to host and sponsor the 2007 Senior Olympics. "The township is home to a significant and growing senior population, which is more and more engaged in an active and physically fit lifestyle," the mayor said. "The Senior Olympics embodies today's senior athlete by featuring sporting events geared to senior-level competition," he said. "And, even before competition gets under way, every senior athlete is a winner just by staying in shape and participating in a routine physical fitness regimen." St. Marie said the Senior Olympics in Woodbridge is fitting because the township's senior citizen population is over 20,000, which makes up one-fifth of the total population of the township. McCormac added that since the township is the crossroads of New Jersey, Woodbridge is the ideal location for the Senior Olympics. "We have easy access to New Jersey's major transportation network - the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, I-287, and Routes 440, 1, 9 and 35, along with the Metro Park and downtown NJ Transit train stations," he said. Garamella also added that the Senior Olympics would bring revenue into the township. "The seniors will come and stay in the township, shop at the different shops, and eat at the different restaurants," he said. Pat Trombetta said another important part is "the event does not cost the taxpayer anything." "We fundraised to make the booklets and received eight to 10 sponsors," he said. It took a few years to bring the Senior Olympics to Woodbridge. St. Marie said in 2005, plans fell through because of "unforeseen circumstances." "There was just not enough time," he said. But with the support of the mayor, the three men with Garamella said they have come together and would run the Senior Olympics in the township. "This year is a nonqualifying year, so we will test how well the Olympics run this year," said Trombetta. "Then we will ask ourselves how to make it better for next year." All New Jersey seniors 50 years old and up are encouraged to participate. Senior athletes must register to compete in the various sporting events, games and competitions. To register or to obtain more information about the New Jersey Senior Olympic games, contact the New Jersey Senior Olympics at (973) 618-1111 or visit www.njso.us. The deadline to register is Aug. 3.