When the bowlers get out on the green, you know summer is coming鈥� or it could be the Spanish Armada.
Lawnbowling has captivated 91原创 for 35 years.
But the sport has been around much longer than that, explained 91原创 Lawn Bowling Club (LLBC) president Chester Murray, noting that Sir Francis Drake would not allow his bowls to be interrupted when he got news that an armada was on its way from Spain.
鈥淭he response is supposed to have been, 鈥楾here鈥檚 plenty of time to finish the game and thrash the Spanish, too鈥�,鈥� said Murray. The 1588 battle remains, of course, one of England鈥檚 greatest victories at sea.
While the world鈥檚 oldest known bowling green dates back to 1399 in Plymouth, England, 91原创鈥檚 green came together much more recently 鈥� in 1982.
Bill Lott, one of 91原创 City鈥檚 first aldermen and for many years 91原创鈥檚 civil defence radiation monitor, was instrumental in getting three former civil defence trailers set up at a seniors complex in 91原创 City, explained LLBC member Bill Pike.
Pike joined the LLBC because of 鈥渕y friend George Kennedy, who was a long-time member there.鈥�
He noted that many of 91原创鈥檚 prominent residents have been part of the club through the years, including well-known environmental activist Reese Griffiths 鈥� who recently passed away.
A 91原创 resident since 1945, Pike became involved with the club in 2000.
鈥淲e have eight greens, so we can bowl 16 teams at a time,鈥� said Pike, 鈥渁nd it鈥檚 all maintained by volunteer labour, with a little bit of help in the spring from the Kwantlen [Polytechnique University] turf class.鈥�
The Kwantlen students come in and help set up the 15-foot greens for the beginning of each season, which this year starts on Saturday with an official opening and open house.
鈥淲e have a little luncheon and then we throw a couple of bowls, and we depend on the weather a lot,鈥� said Pike.
The weather is looking questionable for this year鈥檚 event, he said. But the rain has apparently been good for the green.
鈥淚t鈥檚 coming well,鈥� said Pike. 鈥淲e cut it like a golf green, and we alternate where we play 鈥� we can play east-west or north-south 鈥� so that the grass doesn鈥檛 wear out in a particular direction.鈥�
91原创 City鈥檚 Mayor Ted Schaffer is expected to attend. Both Murray and Pike pointedly noted the club is 鈥渧ery, very well supported by the City.鈥�
Murray added that 91原创 MLA Mary Polak generally comes out for the opening, as well as Schaffer, 鈥渁nd MP Mark Warawa comes down sometimes.鈥�
鈥淲e all know summer is coming,鈥� said Murray, 鈥渂ecause they all come down to play bowls.鈥�
The club covers all of 91原创, and a matchup between the Township and City is usually plays out later in the season.
鈥淧eople just come and have fun,鈥� said Murray, 鈥渨hich it鈥檚 all about.鈥�
鈥淭here鈥檚 a sort of a loosey goosey drop-in,鈥� said Pike.
鈥淎nybody can come in to play, and we invite anybody to come in and try it. We ask for $25 from a person, and they can come in and try it during the lessons with our coaches, and if they desire to go forward, that $25 applies to the first year鈥檚 membership.鈥�
Pike added: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very inexpensive sport. You can bowl your face off from April to late September for about $150, and there鈥檚 no other fee. We have bowls that you can use in the club, or you can purchase your own. It鈥檚 about $400 for a set of bowls.鈥�
It鈥檚 also easy on the body.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not very鈥� aerobic,鈥� Pike explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just a gentle sport, mostly social. I鈥檓 not a very good bowler, but I鈥檝e progressed to where I bowl in tournaments, so it鈥檚 broadened my circle of friends to the 21 clubs.鈥�
He concluded, 鈥淚t鈥檚 mild exercise and the social aspect is very beneficial.鈥�
This year鈥檚 official opening and open house will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, at 20471 54th Ave., at the south end of Douglas Park.
