ABOUT GRGCC

In 1905, a Rod and Gun Club was formed in Nanaimo and boasted a Gabriola contingent. By the 1920's, the Gabriola members were meeting regularly for competitive shoots on home turf. Of course, in those days there was little concern for confining these organized events to any single location and apparently they were quite the social occasion and very well attended. This was a period prior to the availability of mass media entertainment in the home, so naturally these events were anticipated with great enthusiasm by Gabriolans at large.

The 1930's saw the first of the organized turkey shoots over at the old Rowan homestead where a steel trap was made for these occasions. During the war years (1940-1945) organized activities were temporarily suspended.

By 1950, the Grande Hotel joined with the Rowan location in hosting shooting events. More events were organized by the Brown family in the vicinity of Sandwell Beach. The Rod and Gun Club became a formal entity in 1954 with Peter Bell as President and Clyde Coats Secretary/Treasurer. Membership blossomed over the next two decades and by the '70s it was decided by the Executive to secure a permanent site for the club.

In 1974 forty acres - in the present location that we all know and love so well - was acquired by the Club. Our range property has become an integral part of Gabriola life over the intervening years.