Hinton’s Chris Bourne is planning a luxury escape after winning the grand prize in the town’s 2026 Seniors Week draw, Town of Hinton officials announced Monday. Bourne took home a gift card for the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, the mountain resort located inside Jasper National Park, about 45 minutes west of town.
The draw wrapped up Hinton’s celebration of Alberta’s 40th annual Seniors’ Week, which ran June 1 to 7. Eleven residents won prizes, all donated by local businesses and the town itself. Sponsors included Bar Burrito, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Freson Brothers, Mr. Mikes, Thai Express, Quick Lane, and Town of Hinton gift baskets.
“Thank you to all the great sponsors that donated prizes,” the town said in its announcement. The giveaway was organized by Hinton Family and Community Support Services, the town department that runs a range of senior-focused programs year-round.
Katie Lalonde, FCSS coordinator for individual supports, oversees several of those efforts, including LINKages, which pairs children and seniors for shared activities, and 55 & Thriving, a monthly information session. The department also offers fraud-protection workshops, home support, and a Meals on Wheels partnership.
Alberta’s Seniors’ Week has been recognized since 1986, and Hinton was one of more than 40 communities that officially declared the week this year, Alberta Assisted Living and Social Services reported. With seniors making up about 13 per cent of Hinton’s population and another 14 per cent nearing retirement, town-led celebrations and year-round programming aim to keep older residents connected and supported.
