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.

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.Nov. 2, 2023, 11:05 a.m. ET

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…