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       Olympic Hopefuls Needed a Home. A Retirement Community Stepped Up.

       New Zealand’s curling team wanted to train with the “big boys” in Canada, and a group of enthusiastic seniors has provided housing, a cheering section and lots of advice.

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       When Anton Hood and his teammates on New Zealand’s curling team needed a place to stay, the residents of Chartwell Colonel Belcher Retirement Residence, like Mary Gregoret, 80, were happy to help. Credit...Todd Korol for The New York Times

       By Scott Cacciola

       Reporting from Calgary

       Nov. 2, 2023

       Ben Smith never could have imagined spending the winter at a retirement home in Calgary, Alberta, sipping Caesar cocktails with three of his best friends — Anton Hood, Brett Sargon and Hunter Walker — while their octogenarian neighbors play bridge and tabletop shuffleboard.

       In fact, the four men, who are professional curlers from New Zealand working on their Olympic aspirations in one of the world’s most celebrated curling hotbeds, have made themselves at home since moving into the Chartwell Colonel Belcher Retirement Residence, a senior living community on Calgary’s west side. They are the building’s newest tenants — and its youngest.

       “That’s all the women talk about,” said Bill Dench, 67, a retired letter carrier and Zamboni driver who lives down the hall.

       The story of how a team of young men wound up occupying two suites at a Canadian retirement home — where the weekly activities calendar includes bridge lessons and cupcake socials, where the average age is 84, and where the first sitting for dinner is at 4:30 p.m. sharp — involves luck, economics and word-of-mouth generosity among Calgary-area curlers. In the process, the arrangement has showcased the virtues of intergenerational living.

       “Oh, we really were just shocked,” said Bertha Esplen, 97. “We really were. Because all of a sudden we get curlers from New Zealand in our building. Man, that was great. We couldn’t wait for them to come.”

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       Mr. Hood and his teammates have already proved their mettle against top competition but they hope an extended period in Calgary will sharpen their game. Credit...Todd Korol for The New York Times

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