The North Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club (NVLBC) and the City of North Vancouver are excited to announce the grand opening of a new lawn bowling clubhouse, the final step in the club’s 2021 move to a new location in the heart of Central Lonsdale. The new facility will benefit the club and community in multiple ways as the NVLBC welcomes residents to be part of a healthy and active lifestyle that leads to lasting social connections.
Built by the City of North Vancouver as part of the Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre Redevelopment program, lawn bowling enthusiasts have enjoyed new artificial greens since the summer of 2021. The completion of the new clubhouse, which officially opened on July 20, 2023, represents the final phase of this transformative project.
“Lawn bowling is a pillar of recreation in our 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. Today’s 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.”
The City invested $2.5M in clubhouse construction, which also included improvements to the Mickey McDougall Community Recreation Centre next door.
“On behalf of the entire membership of the NVLBC, I would like to sincerely thank Mayor Buchanan and Council as well as the City staff for their time and effort in designing and building our new facility,” said Bruce Murray, president of the NVLBC. “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. So, onward and forward into our second millennium,” Murray added.
Beyond its immediate impact on lawn bowling, the new clubhouse also contributes to the larger community in numerous ways, including providing green space and landscaping features, a newly constructed park with a bench and drinking fountain, four new electric vehicle parking spots and a new accessibility ramp connecting the multi-use pathway—the Green Necklace—along East 23rd Street.
“Delivering these improvements alongside the delivery of a new state-of-the-art Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre is part and parcel to Council’s vision to build the ‘Healthiest Small City in the World,’” added Mayor Buchanan.
Founded in 1923, the NVLB Club has been a pillar of the North Shore, promoting fair play, camaraderie, and physical well-being for more than a century. The completion of this exceptional facility aligns perfectly with the City's vision of "A Healthy City for All," exemplifying the values of inclusivity, wellness, and diversity.