Canadian Pacific Lawn Bowling Club

By Derek W. Banks

While James Bay, unlike Plymouth, may not have a Hoe, it does have many waterfront parks with equally attractive sea vistas. Perhaps one day if you come down to the Canadian Pacific Bowling Club, behind the Crystal Gardens and the Old Spaghetti Factory at 720 Belleville Street, you may rouse Drake from his hammock and he will challenge you to a leisurely game of bowls. Since there is no real threat of a Spanish invasion, he or one of his team would be happy to show you the finer points of a game that has been keeping ageing backs supple and eyes keen since before Victoria was as much as a speck on the map.

A brief history of the club reveals that it was founded by the C.P. Railway Company as a Social and Athletic club for its employees. The original club was established on property at 456 Menzies Street in James Bay and comprised a tennis court and bowling green. In 1930 it was decided to relocate the bowling green to its present site on Belleville Street. Contrary to what passersby may imagine, none of the current members played on the old Menzies site. After adopting a motion to incorporate under the Societies Act, a charter was issued on March 18th 1959.

Because of the declining numbers of C.P.R staff, the club was opened to the general public. Subsequently in March 1962 the City of Victoria granted the club a concession of the land adjacent to the Crystal Gardens for bowling activities, on a year-to-year basis.

The club welcomes new members at any time of the year. Lawn Bowling is for everyone between the ages of 10 and 100, although, even there, extensions have been granted. Come today and enjoy a season of healthy outdoor exercise. Then when there is frost on the greens, join in some of the social activities in the clubhouse located in the very heart of downtown Victoria/James Bay. Membership is only $125. Instruction, fellowship and fun are free. Bowls may also be borrowed. Additional information can be had by telephoning 385-3577.

Special for this year only: the first twenty-five new applicants for membership will receive a warm and personal enthusiastic welcome from the President and in addition will be given a half price membership for 2007.