On April 21st, 1921 employees of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the E & N Railway and BC Coastal Service gathered in the Empress Hotel to establish the CPR Social and Athletic Club. Members of this new organization threw themselves into promoting monthly dances, Military 500 charity card games, weekend sea excursions and employee based sports teams. By May of the following year the Company had built two cinder tennis courts and a four-rink bowling green at the corner of Menzies and Belleville, just across the street from their wharf offices. The CPR Lawn Bowling Club hosted our very first games in July of 1923.
The West Coast Amusement Centre, or Crystal Garden as it later became known opened on June 26th, 1925, and within five years seed had been sown for a new 8 rink bowling green. A Club room was leased in the building and we moved our program to the Crystal Garden Green in July of 1931. Two years later we expanded to include a Women’s Club.
Over the ensuing years CPLBC members captured their fair share of City and Provincial championships…all the while maintaining a very active social calendar. In 1962 the CPR appointed building Manager asked our members to vacate the Club rooms to make way for the Royal London Wax Museum’s new “Chamber of Horror” exhibit. An old army hut was found and dragged to the opposite side of the green to serve as a Clubhouse… much to the consternation of the owners of the brand new Crystal Court Motel located across the street.
By 1964 the CPR had decided against renewing their lease on the Crystal Garden and turned the building back over to the City. Our membership incorporated as a public society and with the aid of the City took over the lease for the portion of Amusement lands which contained our green. In 1964 the green, along with the remaining Amusement lands were dedicated as Cridge Park in honour of Bishop Cridge, founder of the Church of Our Lord. In 1981 the old army hut made way for ourpresent Clubhouse, designed by John DiCastri.
In 2008 the City declined to renew the Club’s lease and issued a Request For Proposals to develop Cridge Park along with another property on this block. The local community rallied and formed a Cridge Park Rescue Group which led the charge to preserve this active green space. The Group prevailed and our Club was granted a new long term lease to take us to our 100th anniversary. In return, we made a commitment to increase both membership and utilization. In time we managed to expand the number of daily draws offered, extended our playing season and introduced the sports of Association Croquet and Golf Croquet.
Today we boast a very healthy membership comprised primarily of people living and working downtown. Our Club provides a good balance of recreational and competitive programs for members of all ages and abilities…and we’re always keen to welcome more.
