Statistics Canada says more than one third of Langley’s adult population is single.

If that’s true, where are they, asks Sylvia Compton.

She’s been single for a little over four years and rarely comes across a single man in Langley.

“The statistics say they are here. I just haven’t seen them,” she said.

After several tries at the Internet dating sites, she’s decided to set up her own dating company — one that incorporates adventure and activities for singles in Langley.

Her hope is to get singles meeting face to face, doing things they enjoy, to see if they have chemistry.

“You can’t detect whether you have chemistry with someone by talking to them online and seeing their picture,” she said.

“The picture may be dated, but even if it isn’t and visually the person is attractive, chemistry is chemistry — you don’t know if you have it until you meet.”

Compton entered the new world of singlehood after being with the same man since she was 16 years old.

A mother of two grown children, she entered back into the dating game by trying some of the dating websites only to discover a strange and complicated world, mostly filled with disappointment.

Out on the world wide web are what she calls ‘chronic Internet daters’ and those only looking for one thing.

She also laments that by the time it comes to meeting face to face, the date turns into an interview instead of a casual-fun experience.

All this led the long-time hairstylist to the idea of creating a dating company that offers activities for singles to do together, within their own age group.

“Surrey’s single population is even higher than Langley’s, but I thought I would start with my home town first,” she said.

“A lot of guys say they’d like to find a girl who’s active. Well, with Single Mingler, single men and women can join to play volleyball, or a running group, bootcamp or whatever interests them.”

Being single in a world full of couples is not an easy road, as shown by the blockbuster hit Bridget Jones’ Diary.

Compton can’t stand when she walks into a party and she’s the only single woman there. Without maybe knowing it, wives will often glare at her, perhaps perceiving her as a threat. She understands the concern as she’s seen her share of aggressive single women.

In speaking with other singles, they find couples make single people feel unwelcome, perhaps without knowing it.

That’s why she wanted to create meet-ups where single people could go to an event or activity knowing they weren’t going to be dealing with a bunch of married couples, or one half of a married couple.

“I went to the Newland’s New Year’s bash and there was about a dozen of us singles, mostly women, and the rest of the place was couples. Where can single people my age go on New Year’s?”

Compton’s website is www.singlemingler.ca which is still in its beginning stages.

She’s created a monthly schedule of events and daily programs to allow recreational and social activities for singles of all ages in Langley.

She’s created three icebreaker events in May for three different age groups.

People pay to join and automatically receive credits they can use towards joining boot camp, kayaking, a dog Club and other activities organized by Compton.

“I think it would be great if I could set up a coffee shop that single people go to on certain days, at say, 4 p.m. That way there will always be places to go all over town where people know there are other single people there.”

For dog lovers, like herself, she has set up meet-up times at the dog park, followed by a chat at a local coffee shop.

For those wanting golfing lessons, she’s trying to get that organized too.

One of the biggest challenges any singles group has is getting guys to come out.

Compton thinks she may know the secret.

“I think with single men, if they can get off work and find a place where there is a meal being served, they’re good to go,” she said.

She hopes her company will serve as a new circle of friends for Langley residents.

“I really want to emphasize community. People from Vancouver really identify themselves with the City, where as singles who live in Langley chose to live here and feel connected to here.”

Single Mingler Events Limited hosts a free icebreaker mingler on Friday, May 16 at the 7:30 p.m. at the Shark Club for ages 25 to 40ish. Another mega mingler will be held at Newlands bar and grill for age 35 to 50ish on May 23 and May 30 for 50 to 70ish age group.

- By Monique Tamminga