Brockton Club Letters (1912–1913
Park Commissioners Letter to City Clerk May 23, 1912
“City council should use its best endeavors to obtain control of Brockton Point Athletic Grounds, Stanley Park, with a view to its being transferred to the Board of Park Commissioners.”
City Solicitor Letter to Council May 23, 1912
“Proposed sublease contains variations from and other provisions than are in the original lease. When the original lease was given, there was no Parks Board in existence and the present parks board is not willing to approve the sublease although no provision is made in the head lease for the lessee not to sublease.”
City Council Deliberations June 10, 1912
The Notes of the City Council meeting of June 10, 1912, shed additional light on the thinking of the times. A 1.5-page brief was submitted by the City Beautiful Association, decrying the proposed sublease. A three-page brief was submitted by the Athletic Club in support of its application. The Athletic Club brief concluded: “It should be mentioned that all amateur athletic bodies making use of the grounds are in full accord with the proposal which the board has outlined the subject having been placed clearly before them at a special meeting called for that purpose.”
City Council Resolution June 12, 1912
The resolution of City Council was brief and to the point: “Resolved that this joint meeting of Finance Committee and Parks Board to the Finance Committee, the City Council and the Parks Board that the application of the Vancouver Athletic Club to sublease the Brockton Oval to Mr. Con Jones be not sanctioned.”
The Surrender of the Athletic Club March 11, 1913
The white flag of surrender penned by the folks at the Brockton Point Athletic Club read as follows: “That in view of the fact that the Board of the Brockton Point Athletic Club find themselves unable to meet the rents now due to the City, amounting to $1642.68, and another year’s rent due in advance on March 1st, and the Club sees no prospect of carrying on its obligation, be it resolved that they tender a release of the tenure thereof. And ask the City to accept the improvements on the grounds i.e. grandstand, cottage, pavilions etc. in lieu of all claims and give the Board a quittance in full.”