The North Delta Lawn Bowling Society began as the Kennedy Park Lawn bowling Club (KPLBC) in 1982 and incorporated as a non-profit society in 1984. The club was named for Kennedy Road (88th Avenue) on which the bowling green was situated and the vibrant commercial center of Kennedy Heights which straddled North Delta and Surrey. The rural character of the district changed quickly once the Alex Fraser Bridge opened. Traffic shifted from 88th Avenue to Nordel Way and the Kennedy Heights area was increasingly identified as Nordel. The lawn bowling community was also shifting. By 2011 the internet brought changes in how people searched for activities. To increase online visibility, our members voted to change the name of the club to the North Delta Lawn Bowling Club/Society. It was incorporated as such in 2012The Alex Fraser Bridge made the club accessible to other greater Vancouver communities. Today, our members come from North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, and Richmond. 

The lawn bowling green is owned and maintained by the Corporation of Delta. The North Delta Lawn Bowling Society (NDLBS) rents the facility. We are affiliated with Bowls BC, the Vancouver & District Lawn Bowls Association, and Bowls Canada. Our purpose is to carry on the game or pastime of lawn bowling; to provide accommodation for, and to promote, operate and maintain the game of lawn bowling and to buy equipment and appliances necessary for the maintenance of the game of lawn bowling, and to do anything considered conducive or incidental thereto. Lawn bowling is for persons of all ages.

Diversity

NDLBS embraces diversity. Our bowlers come from a variety of cultural backgrounds. 

 We encourage inclusiveness: 

• Bowlers’ ages vary from 10 years to octogenarians (and older). 

• Lawn bowls is a low impact sport that can be adapted to accommodate persons with physical limitations. 

• We welcome and can provide coaching for the visually impaired.

Community Involvement

Each year NDLBS arranges training and bowling opportunities for various community organizations. Examples include: 

• schools in North Delta and Surrey.

• local church organizations.

• Scouts & Guiding

Member & Non-member Involvement

Lawn bowling is both social and competitive. 

Competitions are only open to NDLBS members or members from other Bowls BC affiliated clubs. Up to nine inter-club competitions are held each year and involve up to 64 bowlers playing one or more games.

Non-member opportunities include:

• Open houses & lessons (no fee)

• Canada Day (low fee)

• Labour Day (low fee)

• daily drop-in (low fee)

Timeline

History of the North Delta Lawn Bowling Club

• 
  The Grasby residence on 88th Avenue (Kennedy Road) was purchased by the Corporation of Delta. The ranch-style house was renovated by the North Delta Lions Club to accommodate a Senior's Drop-In Centre.

• The North Delta - Surrey commercial community surrounding Scott Road and Kennedy Road was called Kennedy Heights for  BC pioneer, James Kennedy

• Delta Parks & Recreation constructed a lawn bowling green on the adjacent property. The green was called Kennedy Park and was for the use of people of all ages. 

• The following picture, taken in 2006 shows the old Grasby residence and its location relative to the lawn bowling green. The house was incorporated into the Kennedy House Seniors Centre building which opened in 1984.

1978 - May

The first full season of bowling at the  Kennedy Road site began. There was no formal club structure.and no written records were maintained.

On Saturdays, people gathered at an equipment shed in the parking lot and bowled socially. 

1982 - April

Handwritten records dated Tuesday, April 20th indicate: 

1. The club began to formalize and had an executive committee - President - Phil Foreman; Vice President - Kaye March; Treasurer - Betty Fridge; Secretary - Ada Christianson.

2. The club was affiliated with the B.C. Lawn Bowling Association. 

3. interest in bowling increased as there was "talk over possibility of a draw game during the evening through the week."

4. there was communication with other clubs requesting information on lawn bowling basic

1983 - May 14th

Handwritten record  - Grand opening Kennedy Park Lawn Bowling Club

"22 members were present for the opening and Dave Gibbons, Supt. of Parks gave a little talk on how our club has made great strides in organizing and his staff are putting in as much time as possible to improve the lawn bowling greens. He then rolled a bowl to get the opening game underway.It was a very cold afternoon and only 10 ends were played and Mr. Dave Gibbons took a few camera shots of the members in action

The ladies put up a very nice refreshment hour with sandwiches, squares, coffee and tea; and the new members had a chance to get acquainted and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

A new season is now underway with bowling every evening at 6:30 P.M., Saturday at 1:30 and Sunday afternoon at 2:00 P.M."

1983 - June 4th

First Visitation held at Kennedy - Ladner Lawn Bowling Club, our visitor and seven rinks were used. (42 bowlers on the green)

1984 - April 24

Club membership - 34

1st 'Constitution and By-Laws' approved.

The object of the Society is to carry on the game or pastime of lawn bowling; to provide accommodation for, and to promote, operate and maintain the game of lawn bowling and to buy equipment and appliances necessary for the maintenance of the game of lawn bowling, and to do anything considered conducive or incidental thereto.

The aim was to eventually build a clubhouse that could be used by all members including juniors. Close access to the greens was required to accommodate social activities related to competitions and visitations from other clubs.

1984 - April 27th

A rental agreement between the Lawn Bowling Club and Delta Leisure Services was signed

The bowling club was given 'the right to occupy and use that portion of the premises known as Kennedy House Seniors Activity Center' on the 28th day of April between the hours of 1:00 p.m and 5:00 p.m. (each Sat. thereafter)

• In 1990 the club access was still once per week on Saturday afternoons.

1984 -October

Kennedy House Seniors Centre building was officially opened

1985

• 
  Club Membership - 33

• KPL

• BC Officers: President - Kaye March; 1st Vice President - Stan McKee; 2nd Vice President - Jack Thompson; Secretary - Margaret Ekkebus; Treasurer - Betty Fridge.

1986

Improvements, including the construction of a bowling shed, were done to accommodate equipment for the BC Summer Games

1987

BC Summer Games venue for lawn bowls

1988 - March 23

Club Membership - 79

2nd 'Constitution and By-Laws' were approved

The name of the Society changed to the KENNEDY PARK SENIORS LAWN BOWLING SOCIETY.

The purposes of the Society were:

(a) to promote and carry on programs of lawn bowling for persons of all ages; 

(b) to build a clubhouse for the above purpose; (c) to raise funds for the above purposes.

• KPLBC Directors: President - Phyllis Chapman; Vice President - Josephine Arland; Treasurer - Audrey Fridge; Secretary - Margaret Snider; Member-at-Large - George Graham Hogg

1988

Kennedy Park Seniors Lawn Bowling Club incorporated under the Societies Act.

1990

Club Membership - 87

Funds raised during a KPLBC 'Casino Night'  were used to renovate the kitchen in the upper hall of the Kennedy Seniors Centre. Work included the installation of cabinets and a sink. A small commercial dishwasher, electric range, and refrigerator were also installed. In return, KPLBC received priority for the use of the upper hall between May and October.

KPLBC Directors: President - George Hogg; Vice President - Richard De Roo; Treasurer - Batty Fridge

1993

Visually impaired bowlers program - led by Walter Shopka, - a member "won 4 gold medals in Provincial and Dominion competitions".

1994

Club membership 65

• Visually impaired bowlers program - led by Walter Shopka, Members involved in BC championships, BC Summer Games & National Championships in Saskatoon.

• KPLBC Directors: President - Betty Fridge; Vice President - Phyllis Chapman;  2nd Vice President - Cliff Moyes; Secretary - Peter Bodden; Treasurer - Vito Campos.

1995

• 
  Visually impaired bowlers program - led by Walter Shopka, - Three blind bowlers won medals in the Nationa, Provincial and B.C. games 

• KPLBC Directors: President - Betty Fridge; Vice President - George Hogg; 2nd Vice President - Bill Murray; Secretary Audrey Gilhousen; Treasurer - Vito Campos.

1996

• 
  Visually impaired bowlers program - led by Walter Shopka, Lance MacDonald competed in the "World Olympics" held in Atlanta and won the gold medal in his category. Lance and Walter attended a recognition luncheon with Prime Minister Cretien on October 1st 1996

• Nine inter-club visitations were scheduled. Three at Kennedy and six away.

• Three competitions listed through the V&D - Ladies Triples Tournament in July; Ladies Invitational in August and Parks Board Invitational in September.

•  KPLBC Directors: - President - Robert Sinclair; 1st Vice President - Walter Shopka; 2nd Vice President - Alec Goodlet; Secretary - Audrey Gilhousen; Treasurer - Vito Campos

1997

• 
  Visually impaired bowlers program - led by Walter Shopka, included 3 blind bowlers. Eugene won a bronze medal in the Provincials thus qualifying for the Nationals.which were held in Kitchener Ontario.

• KPLBC Directors: President - Peter Bodden; Vice President - George Hogg; 2nd vice President - Lilly Caton; Treasurer Bertha Murray; Secretary - Pat Barrett

1998 - 1999

Reconstruction of the greens and surrounds.

• Delta Parks & Recreation facilitated the project by providing advice, specifications, drawings, and estimates but were unable to provide funding due to budget constraints.

• Major donors for this project included:

  • North Delta Lions Club

  • Rotary Club of North Delta

KPLBC Directors: President - Peter Bodden; Vice President George Hogg; 2nd Vice President - Lillian Caton; Treasurer - Betty Fridge; Secretary Millar Wailing.

2001

Nine inter-club visitations scheduled with Vancouver & District lawn bowling clubs. Four at Kennedy and 5 away.

2010

greens roller purchased

2011

Fall AGM - Members voted to change the name of the club to the North Delta Lawn Bowling Club.

The purpose was to reduce ambiguity and improve the club’s profile within current communities in B.C.:

• the local community associates 'Kennedy' with the senior’s recreation center. Locals do not recognize the Kennedy  Park Lawn Bowling Club as a separate entity 

  • donor confusion

  • the recreation centre is limited to members 50 years and older

  • the lawn bowling club is open to members of all age groups. 

• Kennedy Park is the name of a district Park located on the east side of 120th Street between 88th Avenue and 96th Avenue at 9058 Holt Road. It provides a Picnic Area, Washrooms, Sports Field, Ball Diamond, Tennis Courts, Natural Area Trails, and Walking Paths. The lawn bowling green is not located within Kennedy Park.

2012

Name officially changed to North Delta Lawn Bowling Club

• 3rd Constitution and By-Laws approved