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THE FORMATIVE YEARS
1913 - 1917

It was in the late fall of 1912 that Bela W. Smith, the President of the Minneapolis Rotary Club was holidaying in Vancouver and called on J. B. Giffen the manager of R. G. Dun  Company to introduce the idea of Rotary. Giffen immediately demonstrated an interest and contacted four colleagues, W. O. Webster, Geo. Harrison, John D. Kearns, and Daniel Hocking.

Bela Smith alerted the Seattle Club that "Vancouver was ready for Rotary" and L. F. Allen the secretary there, came to Vancouver to discuss Rotary with Giffen and his associates. As a result of this visit the Vancouver Club was organized on the evening of Saturday, March 8, 1913, when a Seattle delegation of eleven Rotarians led by Ernst Skeel gave a banquet at the Elysium Hotel for nineteen Vancouver men. A decision was reached to proceed.

On March 14th, the first solo meeting of the club was held with 32 members present. The first speaker being J. W. Pogue of London, England, who spoke on "Rotarianism". A Roster of members was prepared and soon an application was made to affiliate with the International Association of Rotary Clubs.

The Charter and the official recognition of the Rotary Club of Vancouver, was presented at a luncheon on April 22, 1913. The Roster of the day listed 94 members, a recruiting accomplishment unequalled in our history. There was little doubt that "Vancouver was ready for Rotary".

The "Spirit" of Rotary had taken hold and following the efforts of President Harrison, and J. B. Giffen, the Rotary Club of Victoria was launched on the evening of November l5, 1913.

By August of 1913, the membership had grown to 130 and a delegation attended the annual International Convention held in Buffalo, New York. It was at this convention that J. B. Giffen, was elected a Director of the International Association,  the first Canadian to be so honoured.

By June of 1914, the membership had grown to 209 and the club prospered under the guidance of President the Reverend Leslie Pidgeon. It was credited with being the largest club in the British Empire. The activities for the year have been summarized as a time "for philosophy and a close study of the ethics of Rotary". Not surprising for a club that had grown rapidly and embraced an International Movement that was busily attempting to define its basic objectives.

A Christmas Fund for needy children was raised and a Christmas tree was decorated on the property of one of the members.

The Great War, that was later to have a grave impact on the club and to change the fabric of the western world for all time, began just as the Club entered its second year. Before it was concluded four years later 38 members of the club were to serve the Allied cause, two of which were decorated in the field and one R. C. Bechol was killed in action.

The year 1915-16 was a watershed year for the young Club since the rapid growth of the membership to over 209 led to what was described as a "re-action". The President of the day Alex R. McFarlane, a stern administrator, reviewed the membership with respect to classifications. As a result 40 members lost their standing and were dropped from the membership of the Club. It was a smaller and learner Club that faced the challenges of the war and the young community.

Early in 1916 the attention of the club was directed towards the plight of many "tubercular" families in the City. To provide adequate housing for some of these families a number of simple but clean houses were constructed on the southern slope of the City and the Club joined in helping to provide furniture, supplies and food.

The International Convention in 1916 was held in San Francisco and here Past President Reverend Leslie Pidgeon was elected 3rd Vice President of The International Association. Districts were established at this Convention and Vancouver became a member of District 18, comprising clubs from Winnipeg to the coast.

ADVENTURES IN COMMUNITY SERVICE

1918 - 1938

"In six months they will all be gone - they will be dead", was the reply that President Oscar Olson received from Dr. Malcolm McEachern, Medical Director of the General Hospital when he enquired about the prognosis of twelve little girls who were in the Tuberculosis ward.

The shock of this reality launched Oscar Olson and the Club on an odyssey of community service that was to touch the economic, social, educational, health and political life of the city. It has no equal in the annals of our community.

Tuberculosis, the feared "White Death" that carried off countless young people, before the advent of antibiotics at mid-century, yielded only to three prescriptions, - early diagnosis, rest and improved housing and nutrition.

After consultation with physicians specializing in tuberculosis control and treatment a decision was reached in December 1917 to support the construction of a free health clinic to fight the dreaded disease. Almost at once $17,700. was pledged by club members and plans were made to raise an  additional $60,000. from the community. This objective was quickly achieved. On November 26, 1918, the cornerstone of the clinic was laid and construction was to be completed early in 1919.

The clinic featured facilities for Nose and Throat Treatment, Visiting Nursing Services, Diagnostic Services and a unique Open Air School which enabled children under treatment to continue their schooling under what, at that time, was considered ideal conditions. In the five years ending on December 31, 1923, 4,484 new patients were received,  11,247 consultations had been provided and the Nursing staff had carried out 11,640 visits.

The Club operated the clinic for its first year then turned the administration over to the City Health Department. At this time it was discovered that there was a surplus of $9,000. in the clinic funds. After consideration it was decided to use this money to establish a Fresh Air Camp for children at risk, and this was done. The camp located on the shore of West Point Grey, on property donated by the Provincial Government, was operated for many years by the Club and could accommodate up to 142 children in a season. The statistics proudly reveal that the children averaged a weight gain of 3 1/2 pounds during their holiday, an indication of the problems in their everyday life-style.

Throughout the life of the clinic and the camp the Club undertook to provide Christmas hampers of food, clothing etc. for needy families with Tuberculosis. This support was administered by the nurses on the staff of the clinic to preserve anonymity and dignity.

The "Clinic" as it was affectionately called gave birth to the "Women's Auxiliary to the Rotary Institute for Chest Diseases", the forerunner to the present Rotary Women's Auxiliary. More about the "Rotary Annes" in a later chapter.

The Clubs activities in Tuberculosis control did not end with the Clinic and Camp, however. In 1931 in partnership with the I.O.D.E. the Club took advantage of the building recently vacated by the Infectious Diseases unit of the General Hospital to establish the "Preventorium". A residential facility for children who had been exposed to TB and needed special care. This facility later became a hospital for severely handicapped children and is now known as "Sunny Hill Hospital for Children" and still receives some Rotary support for special needs.

The Reverend Leslie Pidgeon who played such an active part in the early days of the club had received a call to Winnipeg in 1916, and upon leaving was honoured with the first Honorary Membership. At the International Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1918, Reverend Pidgeon was elected President of the International Association the first Canadian to be so honoured.

The aftermath of the Great War provided many opportunities for service. Help was given to Britannia after their disastrous flood, Halifax received help after the great explosion and returning veterans were assisted in rehabilitation.

An outstanding example of selfless service was the transportation assistance given to the Concentration Hospital set up in King Edward High School to care for victims of the great flu epidemic of 1918. The regular Rotary luncheons were cancelled for 5 weeks to reduce the chance of infection and during this time 40 to 50 automobiles owned and manned by members maintained a day and night service carrying nurses and volunteers to and from work.

Action was taken on several political matters in the post war period. Support was given the Mayor and the Citizens Protective League during a particularly serious period of labour unrest. And it is recorded that the Club's efforts greatly helped the maintenance of law and order. The city was also aided in a publicity campaign to popularize Vancouver,  $25,000 being raised by public subscription for this cause.
Vancouver was on the march in the decade of the twenties and with the post war development came problems. Drug addiction was rearing its ugly head, there was a need for programs for young boys and girls and child welfare needed attention. Literally a smorgasbord of social problems cried out for help.

The drug addiction matter was highlighted in 1921 and a program of community organization was undertaken. This culminated in a large public meeting in the Empress theatre and strong recommendations were transmitted to Ottawa.

A Boys Work Committee was established early in the decade and from this beginning sprung many outstanding programs. The Boy Scout movement received the Club's support and assistance was provided to the establishment of Camp Byng at Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast. The first Boys Club in Vancouver was built with Club support and the Hastings Community Center was launched with a grant of $4,500.

The Vancouver General Hospital received financial assistance in 1934 to provide a TB Research Laboratory, and the Club helped to fund a Childrens Research project which led to the establishment of the Children's Aid Society.

The fledgling University of British Columbia, which was housed in the "Fairview Shacks", in reality, the old Vancouver General Hospital nurses home and new facilities were badly needed. Many in the community wished to see new facilities built on the present site in Point Grey, but the government was reluctant to spend money. The Club supported the University by resolution in 1921 and later in 1923 supported the famous "Great Trek" of university students, each carrying a stone, as they marched to Point Grey to pressure the reluctant government to provide badly needed financing.

A further education activity was undertaken in 1922 when in cooperation with high schools of the city members of the Club addressed students in high schools on the subject and importance of citizenship. Over 3,000 students were reached in this endeavour.

The motion picture exploded into prominence as a medium of entertainment in the early 1920's and as one may expect the quality of the films and particularly their "moral" content was a matter for public concern. It was in this period that the famous Hays office of film censorship was established by the industry. Vancouver was no exception to this public concern and the following resolution was passed by the club.
"Whereas in the opinion of the Rotary Club of Vancouver many films shown in the motion picture houses of this Province are harmful and frequently objectionable, particularly to children;  And whereas in the opinion of this Club these bloodcurdling, nerve racking and suggestive pictures have become a serious menace to the health and morals of the younger generation;  Therefore be it resolved that this Rotary Club do pray the  Honourable the Attorney General to cause to be made a more strict censorship of films before they are shown in the motion picture houses of British Columbia and in particular those films depicting scenes of murder, robbery, problem plays and other forms of crime."

Such outrage over the quality of the films of the day only serves to remind us of the old adage that "the more things change the more they remain the same". For film quality is currently still a matter for concern.

In 1921 The International Association of Rotary Clubs at the annual convention in Edinburgh, Scotland, took a landmark decision to strike a committee to develop a standard form of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association. Vancouver was represented on this committee by Alex R. McFarlane. The committee worked for a year on their appointed task and the completed document was presented to and passed by the convention of 1922 in Los Angeles. This basic Constitution and By-Law stands today as the foundation for the present day organization of the Clubs. The name of the organization was officially changed to "Rotary International" as this time.

Health and welfare projects dominated the depression years but in spite of the need to sustain those programs already in place the Club was able to help launch new and valuable services.

In 1935 - 1936 a grant of $2,000 was made to assist in the establishment of the Cancer Foundation, and a grant of a further $2,000 provided for a tuberculosis research laboratory at the General Hospital.

In 1938 the Club concluded its first 25 years of life and when one considers that this 25 year period embraces two of the most cataclysmic social disaster to strike man in the past 500 years, the Great Ware and the Great Depression, Rotary had proved its mettle.

In this period the Club raised $281,770., $77,770. of which was invested in the TB Chest Clinic, $39,308. provided assistance to needy TB families, $49,698 supported the Fresh Air Camp,  $12,900 helped launch the Preventorium, and $21,590 was contributed directly to boys work. Fifty-one other donations were made to a wide range of community services.

Six members who served in this outstanding period of our history are still in the Roster and four of them still attend meetings on a regular basis. The six members are: Stanley J. Clarke. David C. Dawson, T.R. Jeffree, Maynard S. Joiner, Martin Shanahan, and Stanley C. Thorpe.

 

A FIRM HAND ON THE TILLER

1939 - 1963

The Club entered its second quarter century with a solid membership, a great track record of community service and with a program polish that can only be earned by hard work and close attention to the Rotary ideals.

The Club was reminded, however, by L. S. Klinck, a long time member and President of the University of British Columbia, who wrote a short note in the Silver Jubilee booklet, to look for younger members who have the energy and virility of youth. "Men beyond forty may supply the Club with experience, caution, and wisdom:  but imagination, aggressiveness and idealism, prompt decision and resolute action -- these things must come from those who have the gift of leadership combined with the energy and virility of youth. The University President did not place much faith in the adage that "life begins at forty".

Vancouver had more than doubled its population since the Club began, to a respectable 300,000 plus, and it was widely recognized as Canada's third largest city.

The new Hotel Vancouver was completed in 1939 and welcomed King George VI and Queen Elizabeth as the first guests. They visited Vancouver on their famous Canadian tour and captured the hearts of the people. In honour of the Royal visit the Club sponsored a fireworks display.

The Club which had met for years in the old Hotel Vancouver located at the corner of Georgia and Granville moved to the new Hotel and the first luncheon was held there on May 30, 1939.

The outbreak of hostilities of the Second World War in September 1939 put the Club once again on a wartime footing and a resolution was promptly passed providing that any member who would be absent for wartime duties would be automatically listed as an honourary member during the period of active service.

War service dominated the Clubs activities until 1945. Canvassing for the Canadian War Services Fund, support of Victory Loan drives, assistance to the Queens Canadian Fund and many other lesser kinds of financial aid was supplied.

Two major projects dominated the war years, the founding and support of the Vancouver Air Cadet Squadron No. 59 and the operation of the United Serviceman's Centre located on Burrard Street. The Serviceman's center was financed from the proceeds of the raffle of a house that was donated by a member. A total of $71,018. was raised, a very sizeable amount at the time. The Women's Auxiliary largely staffed the center on a volunteer basis from early morning till late at night. The success of the centre which served 1,700,000 service men and women remains an outstanding example of selfless community service.

In spite of war conditions life in the growing city continued and many social needs were exacerbated by wartime instability. A grant of $5,000. was made to the Children's hospital, $2,935. was provided for underprivileged children and a grant of $2,000. was made to the Alexandra Community Action Association for special community services. Many other lesser grants were made in support of social welfare programs.

The cessation of hostilities in Europe in May 1945 and the termination of the war in the Pacific in August of the same year set the stage for a vital period of postwar recovery.

The Club in cooperation with the YMCA developed the British Columbia Youth Counselling Service in 1945 with a grant of $4,000. The service was begun early in 1947 and the first Executive Director was a young University graduate by the name of Ken Weaver. Ken organized the service and later became a member of the Club rising to the Presidency in 1972-73. In the next decade the Club provided a total of $43,925. in support of this service. It was eventually financed without the help of the Club and continued to give a valuable community service for many years.

A grant of $5,000 provided a garden especially designed for the blind when the CNIB built their new residential center, Queen Elizabeth Hall on Main Street. The recreation facilities of the city received a boost when the Club granted $25,000 to the Point Grey Community Center Association to help construct the Kerrisdale Ice Rink which continues to render fine community service to the present.

Health Services, particularly those to children, have been of special interest to the Club. And in the early '50's a grant of $15,000 was made to the General Hospital to help build the Provincial Health Center for Children and later a sum of $15,450 was provided the Center for a special research laboratory. In the same period a grant of $5,000 was provided the Children's Hospital to help purchase new X-Ray equipment.

The legacy of the war and the revolution in transportation drew attention forcefully to the world as a global community and the International objectives of Rotary commanded the attention of the Club.

The Club combined its interest in Education and International affairs when in 1954 the members undertook to raise $150,000 to build an International House on the campus of the University of British Columbia. By late 1957 these funds had been raised,  $115,000 from Club funds and individual members and $35,000 from private donors.

There was a sod turning on November 20, 1957 and the cheque for $150,000 was presented by President Reg Rose to the University. The facility was completed late in 1958 and continues to the present as a jewel in our crown.

The official opening of the International Center on March 4, 1959, was a gala occasion. None other than Eleanor Roosevelt the United States Ambassador to the United Nations attended the opening ceremonies;  and she firmly supported the purposes and principles which had motivated our Rotary Club to invest in this project which has effectively demonstrated the Rotary concern for the development of International Understanding and Goodwill.

The Preventorium which the Club had helped to launch in 1932 had grown in size and scope over the years. Its focus now was not so much the prevention of tuberculosis as it was the care of children with special handicaps. To reflect this new look the hospital in 1954, adopted the name Princess Margaret Children's Village, and later it came to be known as Sunny Hill Hospital for children. The Club continued its interest in the hospital and in the early '50's provided $4,000 to build a wading pool for the children.

A new organization "The Childrens Foundation" to provide special treatment for emotionally disturbed children was developed in the late '50's and the Club provided a grant of $46,000. for dining room facilities.

The Salvation Army Camp "Camp Sunrise" at Hopkins Landing on the Sunshine Coast received a grant of $10,000 to purchase additional property and later as a Golden Anniversary project the Club provided a further $30,000 to the camp.

A landmark in the History of the Club occurred in March 1950 with the establishment of the Oscar A. Olson Foundation by Past President Oscar Olson, by the kind donation of a considerable sum of money. The Foundations purpose is to provide assistance to Charitable Organizations

and Community Enterprises in Vancouver. The Club now had the beginnings of a fund that would continue to make funds available to the community for many years to come. At the time of writing the assets of the foundation stand at $130,881.

 

PEACE - NOT WAR,  BUT SOCIAL CHANGE
1964 - 1988

In this, the third quarter century of the life of the Club, there were no destructive wars nor severe depressions to dislocate society. There was, however, a decade of social discontent that characterized the period of the late sixties and the early seventies.

Large numbers of youth, the product of the baby boom years following the Second World War, took to the streets, many as itinerant mendicants to demonstrate their contempt for what they, disrespectfully called "The Establishment". The very threads of the fabric of our society were called into question. Any many of our institutions - Education, The Family, Marriage, Sexual Codes, the Economic System and Religion were relentlessly attacked.

In periods of such social turbulence the mettle of organizations such as Rotary is put to the acid test. It is to the credit of the Club that it emerged from this period unscathed and strong.

The bulk of the financial resources that the Club provided for community services was administered by the Community Services Committee and it followed a policy of assisting many small agencies rather than opting for large grants to a few. A total of 185, health, welfare, hospital, education and arts agencies received $1,340,000. in this period. Further 41 International Projects were funded in cooperation with the Canadian International Development Agency.

A number of major projects were also undertaken by the Club and their nature provides an overview of the breadth and depth of its community interests. To qualify as a major project support in excess of $10,000. must have been provided.

In 1969 the Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society an agency providing specialized services to people suffering from the crippling disease of arthritis constructed a new headquarters and clinic building. The Club granted the society $25,000.00 to install the elevator system.

In 1971 a grant of $10,000.00 was given to the Vancouver General Hospital to assist in the construction of a Stroke Rehabilitation facility. Later in 1979 the Club provided $60,000. to equip a Low Vision Clinic in the newly constructed VGH Eye Centre.

In 1976 a grant in the amount of $12,200.00, was made to St. Pauls Hospital to assist in the purchase of special equipment for the Heart Surgery.

In 1984 the largest project of this period was established at the University of British Columbia Health Sciences Centre Hospital. The hospital in cooperation with the Triumf Nuclear Accelerator Facility wished to install an experimental Positron Emission Scanner and a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Scanner. Both machines to be used in brain physiology research. The Club provided $125,000. to prepare the physical facilities for this sophisticated equipment.

The facility know as the "UBC IMAGING RESEARCH CENTRE" was officially opened in 1984 by Queen Elizabeth who visited Vancouver to launch the Worlds Fair Expo 86, and to invite the world to Vancouver.

Camping and Youth Work has long been an interest of the Club and several significant grants were given between 1963 and 1980. Camp Byng, the Boy Scout Camp at Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast,  received $37,000 for buildings and equipment. Thirteen other camps in the vicinity of Vancouver were assisted to a lesser extent.

The Children's Foundation an agency established to provide special services and residential care for emotionally disturbed children, had received Club help before when their main building was built, and now in 1965 the Club provided $15,000 for equipment in an additional residential facility.

In 1968 the Missions to Seamen, a very important service agency in a port city such as Vancouver received a grant of $10,000 to assist in the equipping of a new building.

In this accelerated world, for which we are often ill equipped, education directed to provide us with the ability to handle these rapidly changing times is of paramount importance. The Club has recognized this and has established bursaries at The University of British Columbia,  Simon Fraser University and the B.C Institute of Technology. Each year $7,000. is provided to help students in need for a total expenditure of $175,000. since 1963. Further bursaries have been provided through a grant of $27,000 to the Karen Magnusson Bursary Fund, in honour of the girl who brought fame to our city for Olympic and World Championship Figure Skating.

A total of 26 Educational Institutions have been assisted since 1963 and this help ranges from special programs for dyslexic children to day care facilities to enable young single mothers to complete their High School education.

International House, one of the crown jewels in our community service record, at the University of British Columbia continued to receive attention from the Club. Since 1963 a new sound system and equipment for a coffee shop have been added to this fine facility.

In May 1969 an outstanding move was made by our Club, one that will dominate our financial structure for many years to come. The Club  established the VANCOUVER ROTARY CLUB FOUNDATION, a charitable foundation that has the capacity to establish a capital fund which provides an annual amount to support Club activities. The initial money provided to the Foundation was in the order of $50,000. and each year since its inception a portion of the proceeds from fund raising efforts are deposited in the capital fund. This fund now stands at $582,000 and will continue to grow, as the years pass, for the benefit of our community. Thus the Rotary Club of Vancouver is unique in that it controls two charitable foundations, The Oscar Olson Foundation and the Vancouver Rotary Club Foundation. Sound financial planning for the future, indeed.

The International Service Committee is well known within the Club but it receives precious little recognition in the community at large because its work goes out to third world countries without local fanfare. Since 1963, almost $150,000. has been provided by the Club to projects in far off places in the Philippines, India,  Haiti, and Uganda to mention just a few. Through the cooperation of the Canadian International Development Agency the value of our aid is increased by a factor of three so that the real value of our aid exceeds on half million dollars. Vehicles, Tractors, Wells, Clinic Buildings, Mobile Clinic Vans, Books ad infinitum characterizes the nature of our International activities.

The Salvation Army and their variety of programs was not forgotten and in 1971 funds in the amount of $20,000. was provided to construct a park at the Eventide Residence. Further funds were from time to time provided to help maintain the Salvation Army camp "Sunrise" at Hopkins Landing.

Community Service takes many forms and does not always involve the expenditure of money but can have substantial and lasting benefits for the community. The Pier B-C Community Action project undertaken by the Club in 1982 is one such effort that has earned the Club many accolades.

In the late 1970's a plan was devised, with Provincial Government support, to convert the obsolete CPR Pier B-C located in the heart of Vancouver’s waterfront into a modern Convention Center and Cruise Ship terminal. Federal Government financial participation was anticipated. Plans were prepared and work began under Provincial auspices. After the expenditure of many millions of dollars the negotiations for Federal participation
were not brought to fruition and work on the project was stopped and the project mothballed.

The Cruise Ship facility was urgently needed and the City needed a first class convention facility. President Paul McCrea, a visionary and activist, proposed that the Club should mount a Community Action program to endeavour to rally support for the Pier B-C project and to help bring the possible participants back to the table.

The Club set up an Action office, and soon many members were engaged in the task of lobbying key persons and generally publicizing the urgent need for the project. It worked. It was not long before a solution to the negotiating impasse was found when McCrea conceived the idea of tying the project into Expo 86 by building the Trade and Convention Centre to serve as the "Canada Pavilion" for the period of the fair.

The Government of Canada agreed to complete the project, using the new convention facilities as their pavilion in the forthcoming Expo-86 Worlds Fair. The rest is History and now Vancouver boasts not only a Cruise Ship facility second to none but a Convention Centre and a World Class Hotel. The unique "ship: design of the building with soaring sails and public walkways to view the harbour provides a much photographed "Centre Piece" to our Harbour skyline. There is no doubt that concerned citizens can bring about change that leads to progress.

In 1987 the Rotary Clubs of the World of which there are 23,203 at the time of writing, undertook a program that would give real meaning to the name "Rotary International". Following a request from the World Health organization, after Rotary had demonstrated through a pilot project in the Philippines that Poliomyelitis could be eradicated through mass immunization, Rotary International mobilized each club to raise the funds necessary to virtually immunize every child in the free world against the dreaded and crippling disease of poliomyelitis. The new oral vaccines that can be administered quickly, cheaply, and safely have made such an objective possible.

The Rotary Club of Vancouver happily undertook to do its share in the Polio - Plus campaign. A committee was struck to guide the fund raising efforts and work was begun. With an objective of $75,000 the committee spread the word that Polio could be beaten and that many children would be spared the horror of life as a cripple in societies less compassionate than our own and many other victims would live to take their place in society.

The response of the Club members was greater than anticipated and the sum of $100,000 was contributed to this great cause.

In cooperation with the Pacific Otolaryngology Foundation the Club has undertaken to fund research in the development of cochlear implants at the University of British Columbia Medical School. To carry out this exciting program a new organization the "Rotary Hearing Foundation" has been incorporated to raise and administer funds for this research on a continuing basis.

The annual Bike-A-Thon, which is a bicycle event involving a 75 mile ride from Vancouver to Harrison Hot Springs in the Eastern Fraser Valley, will be the ongoing fund raising effort of the Hearing Foundation and it is proving to be an interesting and lucrative event.

Vancouver is now the hub of a metropolitan center of over 1,000,000 people and is the greatest port of the West Coast of North America. The problems of urban growth may change character but they will not diminish. And as the Club looks forward to the last decade of this century and the challenges of the 21st Century it is strong and enthusiastic. Secure in the knowledge that Rotary is always ready for "the time".

The Club members hit upon the idea of staging a Carnival and Yuletide Festival, the first being held in December 1923, in the Armories on Georgia Street. This first effort raised $6,500. but there was criticism because "gambling" was involved.

The next year the Carnival took the form of an "Ice Show", with great success and thus was launched the Clubs association with the "Ice Show" the longest running Winter show in the city.

The first Ice Shows featured local skaters and performers and this format continued until 1951 when an association was arranged with a professional show called the "Ice Cycles". In the 1960's the professional show changed its name to the "Ice Capades" and our long running Ice Show continues under this name.

The "Ice Capades" is certainly an outstanding success story for the Club and a great credit to many members who served willingly on the Committee responsible for the annual organization of the show. The show also provides a wonderful opportunity for the whole membership to participate in the ticket sales and ticket taking, program sales, and general officiating at the time of the show.

The Ice Show has been a consistent money earner for the Club and many of our community projects over the 75 years have been made possible from Ice Show "profits". The tenor of the show is a credit to Rotary for it provides spectacular family entertainment at a reasonable price. Many famous skating artists have been brought to the city, Karen Magnusson, Peggy Fleming, Toller Cranston, to mention just a few. The most recent feature skaters being the World famous dance team of "Torvill and Dean".