The Dufferin Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club

Welcome to the Dufferin Club!

The Dufferin Club is a non-profit community owned facility, operated by an elected committee of volunteers with a clubhouse, six illuminated tennis courts and two lawn bowling greens.

The Dufferin Club consists of two main constituents, the Dufferin Tennis Club and the Dufferin Lawn Bowling Club, each providing outdoor facilities, supervision and training for members and guests of all ages in a friendly playing environment.

The Dufferin Club is now closed for the season. The club's centennial season kicks off Saturday, May 1, 2010 with an Open House.

Thank You Rotary Club of Brantford!

The Rotary Club of Brantford Sunrise Chapter donated the sum of $1,000 towards the replacement cost of 34 benches that were destroyed in a pre-season fire. Each bench will include a plaque of appreciation, the cost of which will be covered by Scotiabank.

Many thanks to the Rotary Club and Scotiabank for their generous contributions.

The Dufferin Club

History of the Dufferin Club

The Dufferin Club was founded in 1910 after a movement by a group of citizens interested in sport and the pursuit of a place to improve the appearance of the Dufferin area, in the vicinity of the school for the Blind. A portion of the property owned by the Province of Ontario facing St. Paul Avenue was placed under the supervision of the City of Brantford Parks and Recreation Department to be used for the advancement of sport in the city. A club was formed and a portion of the property was designated for lawn bowling.

In the fall of 1910, the grounds were ploughed and scraped in preparation for being leveled in 1911. Financing for the club was raised through a membership campaign and solicitation of funds. A loan from Mr. H. Cockshutt was also obtained, secured by a bond signed by a number of friends and members of the club to the amount of $10 each.

In May of 1911, the grass on the northern half of the green was sowed and sod was laid on the southern half. Around the same time, a clubhouse was also built. The club officially opened July 1, 1911, when the first bowls were thrown and the club has functioned every season since.

In 1912, the tennis club was formed when the northern half of the greens were converted into tennis courts. Members of each club had full privileges of the whole club. Additional property was acquired by Parks and Recreation to enlarge the tennis courts at the rear of the clubhouse, and the northern part of the front was again used for lawn bowling.

In 1966, the court surface was described as asphalt with rough sand. Tennis shoes only lasted one season and the tennis balls lost their fuzz very fast and became black, lasting only a couple of sets. The lights dangled, strung from post to post.

In 1969, The Dufferin Club was incorporated, operating under a new constitution, where the club was divided into two constituents, the Lawn Bowling Club and the Tennis Club, each operating with an elected Executive to govern it's affairs.

In 1972, the current clubhouse was built. Around the same time, the courts were resurfaced and new lights were installed. There were approximately 700 tennis members in 1972. During play a bell rang every half hour for court changes. There was a reservation board to sign when arriving to play and it was doubles only when the courts were full.