Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club

Extract from the City of Ottawa Heritage Evaluation Form report to the Built Heritage Committee December 10, 2019

The Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club (OTLBC) and its grounds are rich in history.  The clubhouse reflects early 20th century middle-class life in Ottawa and is associated with individuals and an organization who are notable in Ottawa’s past. As an integral feature along the shore of the Rideau River, and part of the Old Ottawa South community, the clubhouse and grounds are part of the history of sport and society in Ottawa.

Design or Physical Value

The Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club meets the Design or Physical value criteria as a good example of a building type.  The Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club is a good example of recreational clubhouse architecture from the 1920s. It features design elements associated with Tudor Revival style such as rough cast stucco and mock half-timbering.

Historical Value

The Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club meets the Historical of Associative Value criteria as an example of a sport clubhouse. Built circa 1923, the clubhouse reflects early 20th century middle-class life in Ottawa and is associated with individuals and an organization notable in Ottawa’s history. It reflects an era when tennis and lawn bowling were becoming popular sports for the middle class in Canada.

Contextual Value

The Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club meets the criteria for contextual value because it is a landmark that also defines the character of this part of the early 20th century neighbourhood in Old Ottawa South. The Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club is well-known landmark that has been in continuous use as sports club since 1923. It is important in supporting the character of this part of the Old Ottawa South community as an integral feature on the shore of the Rideau River. The clubhouse and its grounds are rich in context.

Conclusion

The Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club, 176 Cameron Avenue, meets all three criteria in Ontario Regulation 09/06 for designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. The building has design value as a good example of a well-preserved recreational clubhouse with Tudor Revival influences, has historical value for is association with the growth of sports for the middle classes in Ottawa, and has contextual value as a landmark building and important community hub in Old Ottawa South. For these reasons, staff recommend that Council issue a Notice of Intention to designate the property under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.