Our Club History
A Vibrant Part of Calgary’s Heritage.
Lawn bowling has been an athletic and social tradition in Calgary since it was first played locally as an organized sport in 1904. It was and is accessible to city residents of all income levels and social strata. Our Club, now officially known as Rotary Park Lawn Bowls Club, is one of only four historic lawn bowling greens extant in Calgary. The vibrant tapestry of our Club's origins is woven from the threads of several notable and historic organizations in our city, including the Royal Canadian Legion, Army and Navy Club, and the Rotary Club of Calgary.
1919: Early History Insights
While there are no formal written records documenting the club's earliest years, valuable insights have been gleaned from George Hornby, a well-known figure in the community. In 1919 the Prince of Wales broke ground for the construction of Memorial Hall located at 7th Avenue and 1st Street. However, due to numerous financial circumstances, the Hall's construction was not completed until 1922. Dedicated to the memory of those who served in the Great War, the Memorial Hall offered club rooms for veterans' gatherings as well as spaces for community events.
1922-1926: Original Clubhouse Completed
The Club's official roots extend back several years before the final construction of the clubhouse. The original clubhouse was constructed behind Memorial Hall, marking the early stages of organized lawn bowling in the community. In 1926, the branch voted to join the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League (later the Royal Canadian Legion); the following year, it received its charter - the second in Alberta.
1930: Emergence of the Army and Navy Club
By 1930, another organization, the Army and Navy Club, had established a presence in downtown Calgary, engaging in lawn bowling activities at 3rd Avenue and 4th Street SW, an area now occupied by the Westin hotel.
1931: Development of Rotary Park Recreation Grounds
The Rotary Club of Calgary had a self-imposed mandate to build and equip city parks. Ernest L. Richardson, long-time manager of the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, chaired the club's Special Committee that formally developed the Mount Pleasant Rotary Park Recreation Grounds. Other committee members included Nat Christie, President of the Stampede Board, and Frederick E. Osborne, who had served as Mayor of Calgary from 1926 to 1929.
1932: Depression-Relief Labour
William R. Reader, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation from 1913 to 1942, officially proposed the site and prepared the initial layout for an athletic park that eventually included the lawn bowling green towards the north side of the park. Depression-relief labor was utilized to aid in the construction of the park, reflecting the community's efforts to support public amenities despite economic hardships.
1956-1960: Canadian Legion Relocation
In 1956, the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League leased part of the facility from the city and moved the lawn bowling club from downtown to Rotary Park. After its parent organization was renamed the Royal Canadian Legion in 1960, the lawn bowling club was also renamed, and became the Royal Canadian Legion #1 Lawn Bowling Club.
1968: Army and Navy Club Relocation
In 1968, the Army and Navy Club sold its historic downtown bowling green and relocated to Rotary Park. While both clubs utilized the clubhouse simultaneously, the Legion club used the West green, while the Army and Navy Club used the East green. The shared clubhouse fostered a tradition of Sunday morning inter-club matchups known as the "Outlaw League.” Eventually the two clubs merged, although the exact date remains unknown.
1973: Rotary Park Recreation Centre
Following the merger of the two clubs, the construction of the Rotary Park Recreation Center in 1973 marked a pivotal phase. The new recreation centre served as a clubhouse for many years and became a central hub for community activities and events.
1991-2005: Incorporation and Tournament Prestige
On September 19, 1991, the club achieved incorporation under the Societies Act of the Province of Alberta. The Club became well known for hosting prestigious tournaments such as the Canadian Championships, World Police Fire Games, Canadian Senior Triples Championships, and numerous Provincial and Inter-Provincial competitions, further solidifying its reputation in the lawn bowling community.
2006: Royal Canadian Legion Lease Ends
In 2006, the lease agreement between the Royal Canadian Legion and The City concluded. As a result, the Royal Canadian Legion #1 Lawn Bowling Club transitioned to become the Rotary Park Lawn Bowling Club, ensuring the continuation of lawn bowling traditions within the community.
2008-2009: Rotary Park Redevelopment
Towards the end of the first decade of the 21st century, the historic 1973 clubhouse and Rotary Park Recreation Centre faced demolition. In January 2009, the clubhouse, having fallen into disrepair, was torn down. Simultaneously, the Recreation Centre made way for a proposed new emergency control centre, reflecting changes in community needs and infrastructure. The Club operated for 3 years without a dedicated clubhouse.
2010: New Clubhouse Construction
Construction commenced in 2010 on a new venue at the West side of the property, with the club taking possession of the building in June 2011. This marked a new chapter for the Rotary Park Lawn Bowling Club, ensuring its continued presence and vitality within the community.
2010-2019: Continued Revitalization
Since 2010, the Rotary Park Lawn Bowls Club has experienced a remarkable period of expansion and revitalization. Evolving into Calgary's youngest club, we've witnessed a significant shift in demographics, with the average age of our members reflecting a much younger cohort.
2020: Adapting to the Pandemic
In 2020, the club navigated the challenges posed by the pandemic, commencing a shortened season in July with strict social distancing measures in place. Among these adjustments, we relocated the bar to a newly designated area within the shed and transitioned from self-serve to a fully attended bar service model staffed by club volunteers. Additionally, our clubhouse provided crucial support to the nearby City of Calgary's Emergency Operations Centre by serving as extra space for their break room, so they could better comply with social distancing guidelines and further demonstrating our strong commitment to our community.
2020-2021: Celebrating Diversity with Pride Lawn Bowling
On Saturday, September 5th, 2020, the club launched its first ever Pride Bowling event, coinciding with Calgary Pride week. Building on the success of the inaugural event, Pride Bowling evolved into a dedicated league night on Thursdays in 2021, reflecting our ongoing dedication to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. Today, Pride Night stands as one of our most cherished and well-attended league nights, embodying our values of acceptance, celebration, and community spirit.
2021-Today: Continued Growth
Now, with over 575 active members (and growing!,) our club has emerged as a strong presence within the North American lawn bowling scene. This growth not only speaks to the enduring allure of the sport but also highlights the vibrancy and dynamism of our club community. As we continue to thrive and evolve, we remain dedicated to fostering a welcoming environment where members of all ages and backgrounds can come together to enjoy the timeless tradition of lawn bowling.
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Hornby, George. "History of the RCL #1 Lawn Bowling Club." n.d.
"Old Country Lawn Bowlers are Here." Calgary Daily Herald 29 Aug. 1927.
"Lawn Bowling Has Been Played For 28 Years in City." Calgary Albertan 16 Apr. 1932.
"Fun, Recreation in a Garden Setting." Albertan 10 Aug. 1957: 15.
McLennan, William M. Sport in Early Calgary. Calgary: Fort Brisebois Publishing, 1983.
Insurance Plan of the City of Calgary. Underwriters' Survey Bureau Ltd., Aug. 1954, sheet 165.
City of Calgary, Corporate Records, Archives, Acc. 2001-032-023, Box 22.
Glenbow Archives, Rotary Club of Calgary fonds, M1700/103.
Alberta Land Titles - Historical Search.
Peter Gubitz, interview with author, 10 Feb. 2009.
Calgary.ca. "Historic Sites." City of Calgary, https://www.calgary.ca/arts-culture/heritage-sites/scripts/historic-sites.html?dhcResourceId=82.
Alberta Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women. "Alberta Register of Historic Places." Alberta Heritage Survey Program, https://hermis.alberta.ca/ARHP/Details.aspx?DeptID=1&ObjectID=4665-0555.
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