Lawn Tennis anyone?

By Sandra Thomas-Staff writer

The tennis wars are on.

The Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club is opening its doors today in a bid to attract younger members who might otherwise be lured to Jericho Tennis Club's swanky new beachfront premises.

Nicki Perkins, president of Vancouver Lawn Tennis, says the facility is not the "old boys' club" many perceive it to be. "It's an athletic club with lots of active people," said Perkins, who's invited interested individuals, couples and families to bring their tennis shoes, racquets and bathing suits and try out the facilities June 23 at the West 15th Avenue club from 2 to 5 p.m. "There's a lot of people who have never been here and have no idea what this place is about. We want people to drop by and take a look. I think they'll be very surprised."

It may not be an old boys' club, but Perkins admits the club has many aging members. "We're looking out for our future. We want to rejuvenate our membership."

Beth Hodges, membership services manager for Vancouver Lawn, said while the club has 3,000 members, they don't all play racquet sports.

"That means we have room for more 'playing' members and more 'social' members. Neither one of the membership groups is full."

Over at Jericho Tennis Club, which built a large new beachfront clubhouse in 1998, there's a five-year waiting list for prospective members. Ron Pauls, general manager of Jericho, which opened in 1916, said he doesn't expect the lengthy waiting list to get shorter any time soon.

"Our membership is at its capacity," he said. "We have about 2,000 members and the list keeps growing."

Perkins admits Jericho is often seen as the "single, hip" club in town, but insists that's not necessarily the market her club is going after.

"They've managed to carve out a great niche, but we're really interested in getting families involved."

Perkins said the club didn't lose members to Jericho after their renovation because "when you join a club, you join for life," although she says some members now belong to both clubs.

Economy-minded tennis players take note: though you don't get that great ocean view, membership at Vancouver Lawn Tennis is cheaper than at Jericho-$9,000 for an individual and $15,000 for a couple. Social membership is a budget-minded $3,600 to $6,000. Additional monthly fees range from $73 to $203.

"Playing" couples and individuals have full use of all facilities, including the pool, restaurants, pub, fitness centre and courts, while "social" members can use all of the facilities except the courts.

At Jericho, playing memberships are $12,500, $20,000 for couples. Unlike at Vancouver Lawn, there are no rates for social members. Monthly fees range from $106 to $170.

The Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club originally opened at the corner of Barclay and Denman streets in 1897 and moved to its present location, a former CP Rail building, in 1914. Doug Shellard joined the club in 1946, and is still an active member. The 82-year old holds a Level One badminton coaching certificate, which he puts to use four times a week teaching juniors. While Shellard has seen many changes in the world since 1946, one rule at the club remains constant.

"You have to wear all white on the courts, and are only allowed 10 per cent colour, per piece of clothing," he said. "That rule hasn't changed at all."

As if to prove his point, a group of four men dressed in white shorts, tennis shirts and runners wanders in from the courts to take a seat in the lounge. Outside, white-clad club members sit pool-side under large patio umbrellas. Teenagers drop by, some with their parents, some without, and the lawn surrounding the pool soon becomes dotted with colourful bathing suits. Shellard smiles as the kids arrive.

"We've kept the rule about wearing white on the courts, but we've gotten pretty casual in the rest of the building," he said. "You need to change with the times."

Participation for the open house is by registration at 604-731-2191. The club is located at 1630 West 15th Ave.