HISTORY OF THE CBD CLUB

 In today's modern world, anagrams have become commonplace; e.g. NATO, NAFIA, the UN, etc.  Yet, to many people, these are only letters; the meanings of such anagrams are often not clear.  However, in Wallaceburg most people are quite familiar with the terms the CBD, and "The Club", terms, which have become synonymous with the sociability and community involvement in the town of Wallaceburg and the surrounding area.

The first 50 years of the Twentieth Century saw large numbers of Belgians and Dutch adopt Canada as their new home, with many of these immigrants coming to Kent County.  While a few Belgian and Dutch immigrants arrived prior to World War I (e.g. the Van Damme families), the bulk of these two immigrant groups arrived in two major migrations: One wave followed World War I (1920's), with the second wave arriving in the years immediately after World War 11, largely in the period from 1945 to 1950.  Because of Canada's role in liberating Belgium and Holland from German occupation in World War 11, many Belgian and Dutch immigrants were attracted to Canada as their new country of choice.

Within a few short years, these immigrants developed the desire for some kind of social organization where they could gather together for relaxation and fellowship.  The first move in this direction came in 1947 under the guidance of several people, but particularly the leadership of Adolph Vandenbossche.  Social evenings were arranged first at the Primrose Gardens (across the street from Branch 18 of the Royal Canadian Legion), and shortly thereafter at the newly opened Lord Selkirk Ballroom (now Sam's Hotel).

On September 2,1950, Adolph Vandenbossche chaired a meeting at the Primrose Gardens, the purpose of which was to examine the possibility of building a permanent club house.  An estimated 450 people attended the meeting to discuss this project.  The response to this proposal was so overwhelmingly positive that an initial Board of Directors was elected to proceed with the project.  The financing for the Canadian-Belgian-Dutch Social Club, Incorporated, came almost entirely from the sale of SHARES (long-term bonds).  Construction began in March of 1951. By late 1951, much of the exterior construction had been completed, with over 3000 man-hours of important work provided by members.

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As the facility was nearing completion in January 1952, its first official function was to honour championship Wallaceburg lacrosse and baseball teams.  This would prove to be an indication that the new CBD Club would not only be a Centre for people of Belgian and Dutch background, but would also be a social gathering place for the community of Wallaceburg and the surrounding district.  Over the years, this important community concept has been demonstrated time and time again.

The new Clubhouse is a two-storey structure. The first floor was to be devoted entirely to clubrooms, a member’s lounge and related sporting activities.  The upper floor, the Ballroom, was to provide space for receptions of all kinds.

On May 25, 1952, the official opening of the now-completed CBD Club was held

From its very beginnings, the CBD Club was envisioned as an opportunity to provide space for a variety of Belgian and Dutch interests.  As a result, the first floor contained an Archery range, space for Bak Schieting, and a small addition (1959) for the CBD Pigeon Racing Club.

Any history of the CDB Club would certainly be incomplete without mentioning the CBD Club Women’s Auxiliary.  In the early years of the Club's existence, these ladies provided their volunteer labour to prepare the great meals for which the Club would become well known. 

Throughout the 1950's, the CBD Club continued to provide both a social atmosphere for its Belgian and Dutch members, as well as available ballroom space for all kinds of receptions on the upper floor.  By the late 1950's, the Club's membership has climbed well over the 1000-person mark.

In 1959, the CBD Club was presented with a special honour by A.P. Brander of Wallaceburg.  The award was a framed replica of the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium.  In 1915, Ypres was the site of the first poison gas attack during World War I, and some 2000 Canadian soldiers died defending the town from German attack.  After the war, the citizens of Ypres decided to pay a nightly tribute to the memory of these soldiers by sounding the Last Post each sundown at the Menin Gate Memorial.  Three framed replicas of this Memorial were given to Mr. Brander when he visited Ypres in 1958, and the chairman of the Last Post Committee in Belgium asked him to place these in your country where your people and veterans can see them.  It only seemed logical to Mr. Brander that one of these replicas should be presented to the CBD Club.