Powell River Lawn Bowling Club celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sunday, July 25, and held a special tournament featuring costumes from throughout the past decades to mark the occasion.
The event opened with a prayer from Tla’amin Nation elder Doreen Point, who asked the Creator to bless the club for providing space to play a sport with important health and social benefits, regardless of age and physical ability.
Point also prayed for the Creator’s help in fostering reconciliation between settlers and First Nations people, and asked that attendees take a moment to remember the more than 1,800 children whose bodies were recently discovered in unmarked, undocumented burial sites at former locations of residential schools.
“We know that it is you, Creator, who calls us and is leading us to reconciliation,” said Point.
Robin Forrest, Bowls BC district representative for North Island-Powell River and accomplished lawn bowler, noted that the club was originally owned by the Powell River Company, which began building a bowling green in 1919. In May 1921, she said, the club officially opened.
“Coincidentally, in the year of 1921, the world was battling a flu pandemic,” said Forrest. “Here we are today, 100 years later in 2021, battling another pandemic.”
Forrest said the club reached its centenary year as a direct result of its members’ hard work and dedication.
“Powell River became renowned for hosting great provincial competitions, with dozens of the best players in the province coming here,” she added. “Your reputation, Powell River, was with warmhearted hospitality and a good playing surface. That reputation is legendary.”
Forrest presented the club with two 100-year anniversary plaques on behalf of Bowls BC and Bowls Canada. She also conveyed warm congratulations from the district, which donated $500 to the club in honour of the centennial milestone.
Former president Edith Holmes paid tribute to the club’s longest-serving members, including Mary Bennet, who has been a member of the club since 1975, and Rosemary McGowan. Holmes also thanked greenskeeper Ken Dunlop, who turned 95 the day of the event, for his more than 30 years of work for the club.
“He is amazing for what he does for a man of 95,” said Holmes. “We owe you very much thanks, Ken.”
Holmes also thanked Ken’s late brother, Fred, whom she said was “the backbone of the club.”
“When the club was on the brink of closing, [Fred] started the grocery cart program to keep the club afloat,” said Holmes. “No problem was too big for Fred. He would sort everything out. I’m sure he will be here in spirit.”
Roof and repair funds
In a surprise announcement, attendees heard that Len and Janet Mimeault, and their daughter Leah (with help from club treasurer Sharon Shultz), had secured $20,000 in donations to help replace the club’s roof and conduct other repairs.
The club had been fundraising for several years to replace the roof, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it was forced to use that money as an emergency fund.
“We can’t thank [the Mimeault family] enough,” said club president Elaine Marentette.
Club member Bruce Lister hailed the club’s next 100 years with a rendition of “Scotland the Brave” on the bagpipes, and Dunlop led a raising of the Canadian flag in honour of the event.
Marentette, who has been president of the club since 2019, told the Peak she has only lived in Powell River for a short time, but that she is pleased to live among what she described as a “wonderful community of people.”
“They’ve worked so hard to make this 100th anniversary special in every way, not just from cash donations, but from all the effort and work that has gone into the event, and I couldn’t thank everyone more,” said Marentette. “I just can’t mention Ken [Dunlop] enough. I don’t think anyone volunteers so many hours of their time for anything but the joy of it.”
Marentette also thanked local businesses who helped sponsor the event, including Quality Foods, Aaron Service and Supply, Mike Cameron from Underwriters Insurance and Jeff Sauve from IG Wealth Management. She also thanked all past and present club executives.
With more events lined up for the coming months, including a Hawaiian-themed tournament, Marentette said she hopes the start of the club’s next 100 years will be smoother than the last 18 months.
“I would like next year to be a normal year,” she added.
Len Mimeault’s team of himself, Sharon Shultz and Larry Rogers came in first place in the tournament.
