As Powell River Lawn Bowling Club prepares for its 90th anniversary celebrations next week, volunteers and members are looking back on decades of memories and nearly a century of history.
In 1919, a group of residents approached Powell River Company, keen to play the sport. The company obliged and grounds were soon constructed at their present location.
Opening ceremonies were held on May 24, 1921 and the newly formed club hosted the Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club on that date. The club’s first president was also Powell River’s first physician, Dr. Andrew Henderson.
Membership during the club’s inaugural year was between 60 and 65 residents. In an act of gender discrimination not all that uncommon for the time, the league did not allow female members until 1936. Currently, women make up over half of the club’s membership.
On the neighbouring property to the south, where the Powell River Tennis Courts now stand, was a market garden tended by Giuseppe “Joe” Errico. Errico was a Calabrian immigrant who arrived at the same time as a group of mill carpenters and stayed to make his living outside the mill gates. He was one of the first to do it successfully, and he earned the nickname “Diego Joe” for his shrewd approach to business.
Back on the bowling side of the fence, a healthy crop of grass flourished at the hands of groundskeepers provided by the company. Greenskeeping responsibilities were taken over by club members as the 1930s began. Many individuals have worked tirelessly over the years to keep the greens in top shape, including Bob Daly, Arthur Richards, Bud Railton, Jim Cockrill, Arthur Woodward, Val Reilly, Axel Nord, Don Piechotta and Ken Dunlop.
Although there are striking similarities between the grounds today and in the 1920s, they have received several upgrades over the years. The original clubhouse became the tool shed in 1930 as it was replaced with a larger structure that included lockers and some benches.
Another clubhouse, rebuilt and enlarged to 3,200 square feet on two levels, came in 1955. The new facility provided ample space for club dinners and functions. In a sizable act of generosity, it was donated to the club by the company following its completion.
The most recent major upgrade took place in 1991 when the retaining wall around the green was reinforced with concrete, benches were installed, and the original string lights were upgraded to halogen flood lamps. The clubhouse and grounds are constantly undergoing minor improvements by a caring and dedicated team of volunteers.
Over the years, teams from Powell River have been visitors at many tournaments and away games, but the club has also hosted its fair share of guests as well. International teams have travelled to Powell River on two occasions, from Britain in 1928 and from South Africa in 1937.
Currently, the club is the sixth oldest in the province. It continues to thrive in the community, still hosting high-profile tournaments and events. Next week’s tournament will be one of the largest ever in Powell River. It marks the anniversary of one of Powell River’s longest-running sporting clubs with another event for the history books.
