As Capilano Tennis Club looks ahead to its 100th anniversary in 2028, members can expect a celebratory lead up that honours the Club’s long history of sport and recreation, junior development and active play, volunteer stewardship, and our role as a proud community member of North Vancouver. In the months ahead, the Club will share archival stories, photographs, and milestones alongside select events and programming that reflect both our heritage and our continued role as a valued recreational asset within our community. Updates will be shared through the website and member communications as we collectively prepare to mark this important civic and sporting milestone.
Photo above showing Capilano Tennis Club circa.1950's. Photo at right showing what today are Courts 3 and 4 circa.1960's. Source: DNV Archives.The historical chronology below was provided by longstanding Club Member Sharon Moxon from notes provided by original Member Jim Cox (whose uncle, Charles Weeks started the Club) and former Club President, Ron Richards.
Founded in 1928, A Community Tennis Tradition for Nearly a Century
The Capilano Tennis Club began in 1928, when local resident Charles Weeks built a private tennis court at the corner of 22nd Street and Lloyd Avenue. The enthusiasm this generated soon led to an organized community of tennis players who met regularly, shared equipment and instruction, and envisioned a permanent home for their Club.
By 1929, Weeks and fellow community leader James Chapman began advocating for public Club courts. Their efforts succeeded, and on September 27, 1930, the first public court for the Club opened on municipal land at the Club’s current location at the foot of the North Shore mountains.
Establishing a Community Presence: 1930s to 1950s
A second court was completed in 1931, funded through member-organized events, including a large garden party at the Chapman home. That same year, the Club held its first tournament and established a competitive tradition that continues today. By the mid 1930s, a covered spectator stand, kitchen facilities, and landscaping improvements were in place. Capilano members were active competitors in the growing North Shore tennis scene.
The Second World War temporarily halted Club operations as many young members enlisted. Following the war, returning residents revived the Club, installed lights for evening play, and expanded junior coaching.
The 1950s marked a turning point under President Denny Peet. He led the resurfacing of courts, secured municipal support, and launched a junior development program. His leadership positioned “Cap” as an important contributor to North Vancouver’s recreation infrastructure.
A Competitive Force Takes Shape: 1960s to 1970s
Throughout the 1960s, Capilano produced several highly ranked junior players and strengthened its interclub presence. In 1963, long time member Jim Cox became the first grandfather to win the men’s singles championship. His win symbolized the inclusive and multigenerational nature of the Club.
The 1970s were transformative. Membership increased, coaching expanded, and new bylaws modernized Club governance. When the adjacent community hall burned down in 1978, the Club responded decisively. A redevelopment committee raised funds, secured a provincial grant, and in 1979 opened a new clubhouse built mostly through volunteer labor.
Leadership and Legacy: The 1980s
The 1980s were shaped by the leadership of Ron Richards. His energy and goodwill strengthened Club culture and community bonds. In 1986, Richards invited a rising young tennis professional, Howie Jackson, to become the Club Pro. Howie’s tenure lasted almost 40 years and influenced generations of players through his game based junior coaching model. His focus on inclusion, athletic development, and positive attitude became defining elements of the Club’s identity.
A legendary group of social players known as "Ray’s Rockets" is remembered fondly. The group included Ray and Asta Lawry, May Birrell, Jim Cox, Eunice Girdler, Frank Gartner, John Fowle, Brendan Rowell, Hamish Jackson, Rudy Derton, and Joan Kroll. Club tournaments flourished, and emerging talents such as George Smith, Pat Dowling, George Lea, Lance Stiles, Glenn Richards, and a young Grant Connell elevated Capilano’s competitive reputation.
The Club’s 60th Anniversary (mistakenly) celebrated in the summer of 1986 stands as a defining moment in Club history. More than one hundred guests gathered on the sun deck for an exhibition match featuring Howie Jackson, Glenn and Trevor Richards, and Alan Lawry. Without warning, the deck collapsed. Calm prevailed, the gathering resumed, and the celebration continued. The episode remains a symbolic reminder of Capilano’s ability to persevere with spirit and humor.
Reinventing Our Home: 1990s to 2008
The clubhouse, a double wide Britco portable installed in the early 1970s, deteriorated gradually during the 1990s. Despite repairs and repainting, wildlife soon invaded the structure. Even the local veterinarian’s cat, Dave, adopted it as a summer residence.
Leadership rotated among Glen Acton, Bill Nordmark, and Rudy Derton, who stabilized Club operations and sustained a full schedule of events. The passing of skilled competitive member Doug Cairns led to the creation of the Doug Cairns Memorial Doubles Tournament. The event, organized annually by Quentin Brown, remains an important fixture in local interclub play.
In 2003, President Liz Maclaren began exploring options to replace the aging clubhouse. A building committee was formed, composed of Dave Scott, Sharon Moxon, and Rudy Derton. Initial concepts focused on replacing the portable, but in 2005, Derton presented plans for a new permanent clubhouse. He also provided significant personal funds that allowed the vision to advance.
A year of municipal negotiations followed. In April 2007, a building permit was granted. The old structure was demolished, the foundation was excavated, and construction began. Throughout that summer, members watched progress from the grassy knoll while tennis continued uninterrupted.
The clubhouse interior was completed during the winter of 2007 to 2008. That same year, long serving treasurer Frank Gartner passed away. Frank helped shape senior tennis in the region and played an important role in creating the Grant Connell Tennis Centre, North Vancouver’s first public indoor tennis facility.
The grand opening of the new clubhouse took place in April 2008 with the Mayor in attendance. The surrounding grounds were transformed into the Capilano Gardens under the guidance of Rudy and Trudy Derton. The Jim Cox Memorial Garden was created at the same time to honor one of the Club’s most important historical figures.
A Living Legacy: 2008 to Today
Volunteerism remains central to the identity of the Capilano Tennis Club. Members have donated equipment, repaired fences, improved signage, enhanced landscaping, and developed a digital presence that supports the Club’s profile. Contributions by Brian Becher, Kenji Tomagame, Garrett Sandwell, Wolfgang Sollors, Ray Sotto, Duane O’Kane, Ron Carr, and Sharon Moxon (who provided Jim Cox and Ron Richards historical records) illustrate the enduring commitment of our Membership.
As the Club entered the 2020s, competitive and social tennis thrived. The Capilano Cup, an NTRP based tournament conceived in 2020, was delayed because of the COVID pandemic. The inaugural event took place in 2022 and was an immediate success. The Capilano Cup has become one of the Club’s signature annual tournaments. It attracts enthusiastic participation from players across the region and reinforces the Club’s reputation for spirited and fair competition.
There are countless others including Phil Edgell, Brian Bapty, Jen Turner, Ashley Chapman, Alevtina Akbulatova, and Sofiya Pylypenko that have volunteered and worked behind the scenes of all that Cap offers to our Members. The list is long.
A profound moment in Club history occurred in 2025 with the passing of long serving Club Professional Howie Jackson. His influence is seen in the generations of players he coached and inspired. His welcoming demeanor and developmental approach shaped the Club for a quarter century and continues to guide our culture and values.
Today, Capilano supports multiple interclub league teams and is respected throughout the Lower Mainland for its competitive excellence and sportsmanship. The Club remains volunteer driven and community focused. Members enjoy an environment where quality tennis, affordability, and camaraderie come together naturally.