FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 14, 2023
North Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club’s 100th Season Opening Day, a fête like no other
North Vancouver, B.C.–– With a flourish worthy of a centenary, the North Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club opens its 100th season, April 30, 2023. At 12:30 pm, a parade of vintage vehicles carrying government dignitaries arrives at the club where they will be piped in by long-time member of the Delta Police Pipe Band, Ken Wright. Renown Squamish Nation artist Xwalucktun (Rick Harry) will conduct a sacred blessing honoring the occasion. Events include the raising of the Canadian flag and singing O Canada.
“This is a proud day––a day of note––not only for this club, but for the City of North Vancouver,” says Bruce Murray, NVLBC president. “Since 1923, our first opening season, thousands of people in this community have come together and played on our greens. More still from other clubs have come to compete. This dedication to sport, to community, is a legacy of which we are proud and will surely last another one hundred years.”
Among the dignitaries are: City of North Vancouver Mayor, Linda Buchanan; BC Member of the Legislative Assembly, Minister of Energy Management and Climate Readiness, Bowinn Ma; North Vancouver-Seymour MLA, Susie Chant; West Vancouver-Capilano MLA, Karin Kirkpatrick, as well as, representation from the offices of Member of Parliament, the Honorable Jonathan Wilkinson, Bowls BC and Bowls Canada. Judy Savage, President and CEO of the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation will also attend. The ceremony is followed by an afternoon of bowling and refreshments.
“As a community oriented, volunteer run sport club, it’s our members, past and present, who have kept and keep this club active and relevant,” says Pat McKenzie, First Vice-President and NVLBC Centennial Chair.
Club members volunteer to support all events and programs. To date, through its Canada Day tournament, $125,000 has been raised for the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation.The club offers its greens for private and corporate fun and fundraising events, as well as, school programs. It offers a learn to bowl program, coaching at all levels, as well as, social and competitive inter and intra club league and district-wide tournaments. There is evening, day and weekend bowling, as well as, winter social programs. In 2022, the club registered 271 members.
The NVLBC is located on World Bowls certified artificial greens at 24th St East and St. Andrew’s Avenue in the City of North Vancouver. The club left its original, long-time home at 23rd and Lonsdale in 2020 for its new location built by the City of North Vancouver.
For more information about Opening Day, our centennial events, history or when and how to play go to www.nvlbc.com or check out Facebook at www.facebook.com/nvlbc.
January 18th, 2023
North Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club hits 100 years
North Vancouver, B.C.–– 2023 marks the centenary and a year of public celebration for the North
Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club, proving that in an ever-changing world, the community and sport of lawn
bowling remain a steady force on the North Shore.
“Few North Shore non-profits can say they’ve reached this milestone,” says Bruce Murray,
NVLBC president. “We want to share this proud moment with the greater community of which we’ve
been an integral part these past 100 years.”
Throughout 2023, the community is invited to several marquee events: Feb 8, History in the
Making––On this day, a century ago, the club formed officially. For public viewing, a banner and
permanent story boards depicting the club’s history will be mounted around its world class greens; April
30, Opening Day ––Flag raising with public and dignitaries to celebrate the opening of the club’s 100th
season; June 3, Community Open House––an open invitation to see club facilities and bowl on National
Bowls Day; Sept 8, Club’s first game–– Gala dinner, 1920’s dress, vintage vehicles and music across the
decades. Throughout it all there will be plenty of bowling and opportunity for the public to come try this
sport.
“It’s an easy to pick up social sport that is for everyone,” says Pat McKenzie, 1st Vice President
and Centennial Chair. “It’s active, affordable, and as social or competitive as you want.”
The club offers a learn to bowl program, coaching at all levels, as well as social and competitive
inter and intra club league and district-wide tournaments. There is evening, day and weekend bowling,
as well as, winter social programs. In 2022, the club registered 271 members.
“As a community oriented, volunteer run sport club, it’s our members, past and present, who
have kept and keep this club active and relevant,” adds Murray.
Club members volunteer to support all events and programs. To date, through its Canada Day
tournament, $150,000 has been raised for the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. The club offers its greens
for private and corporate fun and fundraising events, as well as, school programs.
The NVLBC is located on World Bowls certified artificial greens at 24th St East and St. Andrew’s
Avenue in the City of North Vancouver. The club left its original, long-time home at 23 rd and Lonsdale in
2020. With the support of the City of North Vancouver, new greens were built and a new club house is
under construction.
For more information about the club’s centennial events, its history, when and how to play go to
www.nvlbc.com or check out Facebook at www.facebook.com/nvlbc.