The first area cleared in the city for sport or recreational use is simply referred to as the cricket ground. It was used extensively for sporting and social events and was situated near the front of what, in time, became the Woodlands property, now Victoria Hill. In the late 1880s and into the 1890s a very rocky and rough playing field was cleared near Third Street at Queens Avenue. It was known by the name of the man who owned the land, WB Townsend, hence Townsend Field.
There was horse racing in town with a track in Queen’s Park paralleling First Street in the area of today’s stadium. Earlier horse racing took place on Columbia Street.
Many locals will know the lawn bowling club in Moody Park. Lawn bowling was first played locally, we are told, on primitive but usable greens in the Queen’s Park neighbourhood on part of today’s Sullivan Park. They were eventually developed in a better form on 10th Street at Dublin Street and then in time at their present home.
How about swimming pools? There are a number of wading and spray pools in this city and a couple of full pools which had older versions such as Hume Park and Moody Park. The YMCA had a couple of pools at various times. One early version was on Royal Avenue across the street from today’s City Hall location, then Duke of Connaught High School. Another was in a later “Y” on Queens Avenue near Sixth Street. There was talk at one time of a pool at the high school (then Massey and Pearson, now NWSS) but it never happened.
There were roller skating venues in town at one time many years ago. One was on Columbia Street in the 400/500 block, and later there was another on Eighth Street just below Agnes Street. On a few occasions the Herring Opera House (pre-1898) was converted to a circular roller skating set up for a speed race challenge between two skaters. Round and round over a specific distance to proclaim a winner.
There used to be many bowling alleys in town, not counting the currently disappearing Lucky Strike Lanes. There was one in Sapperton, at least one, maybe more very, very early, one downtown, and one uptown. Are we missing any?
How about rifle ranges? Early badminton and tennis courts? Billiards and pool? Great fun!
