The 1910s

Top left, counter-clockwise: New West ‘Salmonbellies’ lacrosse team; Landsdowne Park auto race; Duncan Gillis, Stockholm Olympic Games; Vancouver Millionaire’s Hockey Team.

During the 1910s, amateur and professional athletes from British Columbia achieved acclaim at all levels of competition. In 1912, Duncan Gillis won BC’s first individual Olympic medal. The Vancouver Millionaires hockey team won the Stanley Cup in 1915, the only Vancouver team to win the Stanley Cup todate.

Canada’s first two artificial ice arenas were built in Victoria and Vancouver. Other new Vancouver facilities included Athletic Park and Con Jones Park. Large crowds turned out to watch professional hockey, baseball, and lacrosse games.

Sports suffered after World War I broke out in 1914. Many male athletes enlisted and went overseas to fight. Most competitions ceased as people became more concerned with the war than with sports.