With the rollout of its finished clubhouse, the relocation of the North Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club is complete.
After the longtime club – which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year – bid farewell to its old location on 23rd Street East in 2020, construction got underway for its new home a block away as part of the city’s Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre Redevelopment.
Local lawn bowlers have been enjoying the new artificial turf greens since summer 2021, and the grand opening of the new clubhouse on Thursday (July 20) marked the end of the relocation project.
The City of North Vancouver spent $2.5 million on the clubhouse construction, which included improvements to the Mickey McDougall Community Recreation Centre next door. The project also includes a new park space with a bench and drinking fountain, four new electric vehicle parking spots and an accessibility ramp connecting the multi-use Green Necklace pathway along 23rd Street East.
Lawn bowling is a pillar of recreation in the city, said Mayor Linda Buchanan.
“It keeps people active while being a social pastime as well. Council is committed to delivering improved infrastructure and programming that supports the health and well-being of people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds,” she said in a statement.
“[The] grand opening of the new North Vancouver Lawn Bowling Clubhouse will help us achieve that goal. This new clubhouse and adjacent lawn bowling greens will ensure people have even better access to recreation in the heart of our community.”
Club president Bruce Murray gave his thanks to municipal council and staff.
“We appreciate their hearing our needs and incorporating them into the design, which has created a fabulous new home for our club. The opening of the clubhouse is a wonderful way for us to celebrate our centennial year,” he said.
