History of the Capilano Community League

1958–1983

League Founded: 1958
First President: John Wheeler

The riverside community league of Capilano was formed in 1958.The league’s property at 10810-54th Street is adjacent to the Capilano Elementary School. The school works hand in hand with the league on projects of common benefit, such as a unique community playground.

From its inception, Capilano offered residents a varied program of activities. Courses in handicrafts, creative dancing and physical fitness were arranged for all ages; annual picnics and ball tournaments were staged at the elementary school. The first annual winter carnival was held in 1960, presided over by Queen Terrylu Gerlitz. A teen club, headed up by President Michael Day, held dances and other socials starting in 1961. In the same year, the Ladies Auxiliary organized teas, fashion shows and a weekly bowling club.

Building for the future has long been a priority at Capilano Community League. The first clubhouse and rink were erected by volunteer labour in 1959. Two years later a two-storey addition was in place, allowing for a craft area and further dressing rooms.

To combat sole reliance on children’s programs, four tennis courts were built in 1976. The Capilano Tennis Club was a going concern by 1977, with 500 members from the communities of Capilano, Fulton Place and Gold Bar.

An extensive renovation of facilities was undertaken in 1978 at a cost of $150,000, with contributions of $66,500 from the province and $13,000 from the city. Over $70,000 was raised by Capilano itself through lucrative bingos and a casino that netted $75,000.

One unique feature of the newly renovated facility—again conforming to the principle of catering more to adults—is a community pub complete with a 6’ television screen.For Grey Cup games or watching the Oilers battle it out with would-be challengers, Capilano’s set-up is hard to beat. President Maurice Poirier called the community pub an “adult neighbourhood hang-out with a lounge atmosphere.”(1)

The league built a unique playground with Capilano Elementary School in 1979. It was planned with the needs of all children in mind, including the handicapped, by City Designers Bryce Card and Dan Wilson. They incorporated the best of modern playground design into the project by reviewing the entries of a New York City design competition.

Alderwoman Bettie Hewes and Doug Tupper officiated at a sod-turning ceremony at the school in 1979. When the playground was complete in June of 1981, special equipment included wheelchair rockers, a metre wide slide and wheelchair sand-boxes. Standard equipment included monkey bars and teeter-totters, tire swings and an all-weather covered games area.

Funding for the playground came from a variety of sources.Of the total cost of $150,000, a large part came from the provincial Major/Cultural Recreational Facility Program.Another segment was provided by the city and over $40,000 was raised by Capilano league itself. In an admirable civic spirit, the students of Capilano elementary raised $4,500.

Capilano Community League and the elementary school jointly celebrated their 25th anniversaries in 1983. An Old Fashioned Family Picnic started the round of revelries in September. A ‘Just Look At Us Now’ open house and a banquet and dance followed in November.

Unfortunately, there have been problems of participation at Capilano league in the 1980’s. As a result, 1984 saw Capilano combine forces with the other Hardisty leagues of Gold Bar, Terrace Heights and Fulton Place. According to Capilano Program Coordinator, Pat Tapper, combining efforts in some areas while retaining distinct identities might prove to be a road to success. “It’s a great idea for small struggling communities,” she told the Edmonton Examiner. “Smaller communities just let programs drop because of poor participation.I hope this will encourage people.”(2)

PAST PRESIDENTS: John Wheeler, T.H. Forest, Monte Stout, Herb McDannold, G. Anderson, John Long, A.T. Stokowski, Dick Wennerstrom, P. Melnychuk, Norman Tribe, Gerry Art, G.C. Fuller, Wayne Kobie, Bill Chisholm, Maurice Poirier, Dorothy Antoniuk, Ted Pringle, Dan James, Al Park.

NOTES1. South Edmonton Times, January 31, 1979.2. Edmonton Examiner, September 10, 1984.

Source: Bowker, Vaughn, and Michael Wanchuk. Volunteers: Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues: A History of the Largest Volunteer Organization in North America. Edmonton: Lone Pine Publishing, 1986. 160–61. Print.

1983-2008

Following the 25th anniversary of Capilano Community League, new members and executive were solicited. Bob Breakenridge and Al Park had been keeping the league alive for the past couple of years and needed new energy. At the annual general meeting, Gord Smarsh and Gregg Meropoulis were elected president and vice-president, respectively. Bob and Al continued as active members of the Capilano executive.At the time, the league had a half bingo slot with KC Bingo in downtown Edmonton. Bingo was one of the main sources of revenue for the league.

In 1984, Gord Smarsh became the past president. Gregg Meropoulis took over as president, a position he would hold for 20 years. Casino revenue was now part of the league’s financial equation which, along with bingo and grant revenue, provided the foundation for many capital projects. 

The first was a major renovation of the community hall, funded by casino and grants. The entry was changed, and an upstairs bathroom was added, as well as a revamped kitchen and deck. Picture windows were added later to unveil a spectacular view of Edmonton’s river valley.

In 1992, the Capilano playground was upgraded at a cost of $160,000. Patti Meropoulis led this initiative, and her brother Jeff Riddle was key in obtaining grants and forming committees to oversee surveys, planning and the volunteer force needed to install the equipment. At the time, the park was one of the best in Edmonton. Today the park remains a central meeting place for the community and the location of the summer green shack program. Shortly afterward, the tennis courts were resurfaced using a Calgary company owned by John Konihowski, an ex-Edmonton Eskimo.

The 40th anniversary of the community league was celebrated in 1998 with a big party and activities for the kids. Throughout this time, movie nights, dances and Halloween parties were organized by various community league program coordinators and committees. Many of these are now annual community events, including the snowflake shaker in January. Hardisty Gymnastics was also born, providing a low cost and fun introduction to gymnastics for many area athletes.

Attention turned to the ice rink and winter facilities. The aging wooden boards were at the end of their life, despite best efforts to maintain them. Arla Horn led the rink renovation committee, culminating in 2002 with a new steel rink structure with state of the art puck boards. The existing concrete surface was pulverized and graded to form the base for a new asphalt surface. The cost was $105,000, and the project was completed on time and under budget. O’Hanlan Paving donated a $4,000 sweeper for the rink. Residents dreamed of an upgraded rink/tennis building to view the respective seasonal activities.

Bob Breakenridge (bingo, hall manager) and Al Park (treasurer) remained in key positions. Once again, new blood was needed to revive the league and assist with operations. A facilities and league forum was held in 2003 to generate interest and find new blood. Many changes were ahead, and the league found new executive members for nearly all positions. Cathie Morton stepped in as hall manager, and the transition was underway. Lynn Frost took over as treasurer and, with Carolyn Graham, converted the financial records from paper to electronic. Penny Sauers became bingo coordinator. In 2004, Bill Burtnik became the new president of Capilano Community League, taking over from Gregg Meropoulis.In the five years since the forum was held, most of the executive has turned over once again, demonstrating the interest and commitment of area volunteers.

Capital projects continued, with the league relying on casino revenue and grant funding. The hall was upgraded again in 2005, highlighted by new flooring, bathrooms and kitchen. The long-awaited rink/tennis shack was converted to a clubhouse in 2007, in time for the winter season. The tennis club also resurfaced the four outdoor tennis courts in 2007.

Capilano Community League celebrated its 50th year anniversary in style on September 6th, 2008, at an event planned by Paula Horn, Jeff Wilson, Lori Balch, Tammy Tchir, Deb Rayment and Lynn Gregory. After a wet morning, the skies cleared in time for the afternoon. A day of fun for kids and families included a petting zoo, balloons, face painting, jumpy tent, movies, games and food.Everyone had an opportunity to contribute to a time capsule for future generations to find. A tree planting ceremony with saplings to take home capped a beautiful afternoon. The attention turned to adults at an evening pub night with live music, dancing and a BBQ supper.

The guest speaker and special guest was Terry Cavanaugh. Terry is a former city councillor, who served 27 years in city politics.Also present during the festivities were current councillor Amarjeet Sohi and Edmonton-Gold Bar MLA Hugh MacDonald.

Capilano Community League was very proud to reach its 50-year milestone. Operating the league has taken a lot of work from many different people, sometimes without thanks. Seeing so many children attend its 50-year party and the fun they had made the league realize that its efforts have been worthwhile. The league is vital to the spirit and well-being of the community.