On Labour Day weekend in 1983, Dr. Gordon and Ann MacKay of Port Elgin opened the doors of the Lakeshore Raquetball Club (known today a the Lakeshore Recreation) and, now heading into their 41st year, the centre has become more popular than ever and is looking at expanding its activities.
Fitness has always been the number one goal with specialized rooms that include the latest in high-intensity equipment, cardio workouts, stretching, spin cycling and squash. There are also four personal trainers who can oversee exercise, demonstrate equipment or set up individual programs. There are also daily group fitness classes with certified instructors in a wide variety of areas.
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On Saturday, January 27th (2024), the Centre held an Open House that hosted the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks hockey team, draws for prizes and indoor squash demonstrations with Squash Ontario President, Dan Van Moorsel, and Gary Waite,
Van Moorsel, owner of the Maple City Squash Club in Chatham (ON), said that one of his greatest influences in squash was John Fleury, Irish Squash Champion and Club Pro in St. Catherines. “He taught not only how to play, but how to be a good sport/opponent and that there is a very social side to sports.”
He went on to add that the Community Squash Program is growing in popularity. “Squash at any level provides the best workout in a short time. It’s also a really good way to get to know people if you move to a new community and there are plenty of people who are willing to teach newcomers. Another appealing part of the sport is that you can do it anytime. If someone is working, they can pop in over lunch or for those who may now be working from home, they can have a 30 to 40 minute game and workout any time of the day.”
Waite, who for 14 consecutive years was ranked the number one doubles player on tour, winning the U.S. National Doubles in 2002 and 2006, the National Mixed in 2001, four World Doubles titles and three World Mixed, was also No.1 on the North American hardball singles circuit. He has won more professional squash titles than any player in history and was inducted into the Squash Ontario Hall of Fame, Canadian Squash Hall of Fame, and the US Squash Hall of Fame. According to US Squash, the official Squash magazine, “Waite was one of the best left-wall doubles players in history.”
Waite said that he would like to see the Community Squash program expanded to be more accessible with more visibility. “Now, that it will be an Olympic sport, I would like to see more public courts created. It is one of the best community sports. You play it with a partner and you can develop lifelong friendships.”
One of the spin-offs of squash and tennis is the fastest growing sport of Pickle Ball. In Saugeen Shores, there are now over 230 members ranking the club No. 5 in Canada.
The SSPC plays at Lakeshore six mornings a week in the summer season and four times a week at Port Elgin United Church during the indoor season.
The sport has become so popular that Lakeshore will be adding eight more pickle ball courts this year bringing the total to 16. “With the new courts added,” says Gord MacKay, this will be the largest Pickle Ball club in Western Ontario, if not the province.”
“You might say that we are going back to our roots,” says owner Gord MacKay. “We started out as the Lakeshore Raquetball Club and we are still a number one centre for raquet sports. Here, at the Centre, we believe in fitness at any age and our programs prove that. We have all generations who realize that being fit is the road to health. A membership here is all inclusive. Whether you want to use the high-intensity equipment, the squash court, take daily group exercise sessions or simply come in for a sauna, all facets of the facility are open to members.”
Draws held on Saturday:
Winners of on-site Pro shop shopping: Al Andrew, Carol Rencheck and Tammy Buehlow
Winner of the Family Membership drawn by Gord MacKay was Connor Brown.
For more information on Lakeshore Recreation, visit www.lakeshorerecreation.com
