The Summerland Badminton Club’s 84-year-old building on Prairie Valley Road has undergone some renovation and upgrade work.
The work was done by club volunteers. The club also received a $10,000 grant from B.C.’s Canada 150: Celebrating Communities and their Contributions.
The building, at 9540 Prairie Valley Rd., was built in 1934 with two courts, a high ceiling, good lighting, dark end walls and dedicated badminton playing lines.
The building is designed for badminton. It is not a gym with lines on the floor to accommodate multiple sports. It is the only facility in British Columbia dedicated to badminton exclusively.
“I love playing in Summerland because it’s a world class building and there are not many like it,” said Henry Paynter, a club member who has participated in numerous international competitions.
The badminton club was formed in 1911 and receives support from the community.
The Summerland Credit Union provides funding to allow junior members to play for free.
The junior program will begin Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Paynter said the sport has important health benefits.
“Badminton playing is very healthful,” he said. “You get a great work-out and have fun at the same time.”
Paynter. who lives in Westbank, meets his playing partner, Kevin Hancock who lives in Naramata at Summerland to compete.
They have been playing at the Summerland hall for more than 40 years.
Linda Curle, newly elected president of the Summerland Badminton Club, said the provincial grant funding allowed the club to renovate the facility.
“It’s an old building, but with a little help from our friends, it’ll be around for a long time to come,” she said.
The club will celebrate its newly upgraded building on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 1 to 4 p.m.