Langford Fire Rescue launching Wii tournament for muscular dystrophy
Langford hasn’t yet laid down lanes for its new bowling centre, but that isn’t stopping the fire department from getting into the swing of bowling.
Langford Fire Rescue is hosting its first bowling tournament using a Nintendo Wii gaming system, where physical bowling balls are replaced by oblong hand-held controllers.
The tournament is part of the department’s ongoing fundraising efforts for muscular dystrophy. All tournament proceeds are going to Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
“We are always looking for innovative ways to keep fundraising, without getting stagnant,” said deputy fire Chief Kerry Zado. “We thought using a Wii would be fun and people of all abilities can play too.”
Zado envisions setting up at least four large-screen TVs and Wii systems in the Langford Legion hall to act as “lanes,” and possibly more depending on the number of teams who register.
“If we get overwhelmed with people, we’ll rent more Wiis and TVs,” Zado said. “It would be great to have 10 to 12 lanes. The number of people will guide the logistics.”
The department conjured up the idea of a virtual bowling tournament while reminiscing about former bowling tournaments hosted by the Chemainus fire department. That ended when Heritage Lanes closed a few years ago.
“We used to bowl every year (in Chemainus) and had a really good time,” he said. “It just came to us, why not do the same thing using a Wii?”
Zado himself had never tried Wii bowling until recently, despite having a system in his house. He reckoned he was a hot five-pin bowler during his teen years, but said virtual bowling takes practice.
He aiming for the event ot become an annual tournament using the Wii system, even after Langford’s bowling centre is completed. Not everyone can 10-pin bowl in real life, he said, but virtual 10-pin bowling is accessible to almost everyone.
The event will have prizes, a silent auction and a dance in the evening. Zado is looking for donations from the community for prizes. Entrants are encouraged to wear their favorite bowling shirts.
“This is all about camaraderie and fun,” Zado said. “There will be prizes and trophies, just like a real bowling tournament.”
Langford Fire Rescue’s Wii Bowling Tournament is Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Langford Legion, 761 Station Rd. Sign up for teams of four is $100. Contact Zado at kzado@cityoflangford.ca to register smaller teams. Registration deadline is Feb. 17.
Check out www.cityoflangford.ca/fire for a sign up sheet, or visit Station No. 1 at 2625 Peatt Rd., or e-mail kzado@cityoflangford.ca or kbell@cityoflangford.ca for more information.
Tournament information is also on Facebook. Search “Langford Fire Rescue” for the department’s Facebook page.
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