History of Squash in Manitoba
For almost 100 years the game of Squash Racquets has been played in the Province.
In 1909 at 79 Donald Street, the first courts were built at a facility called the Winnipeg Squash Racquet Club. Two courts, built to English standards and dimensions (now known as International Courts), were available to both men and women who played for $12.50 per annum, plus court fees of $0.30 per half hour for men and $0.10 per half hour from women. The annual fee included two “black” balls.
Squash was, at that time, just beginning in England. In North America there were very few squash courts, and those were located in the north eastern part of the continent.
In 1929 two more singles courts were constructed at the Winnipeg Winter Club at 51 Smith Street.
One of the most significant dates in the history of the game in the Province was in 1934 when the Winnipeg Winter Club arranged for Charles W. Ives, a Junior Professional at the Prestigious Queen’s Club in London, England, to come to Winnipeg. Charlie has been the most dominant personality in the game and has taught at the Winnipeg Winter Club, the Winnipeg Squash Racquet Club and the Carlton Club.
In 1947/48 the Winnipeg Winter Club built a new facility on its current site as a result of the Federal Government’s expropriation of its Smith Street Club. Two American sized singles courts were built and Winnipeg’s first doubles court.
In 1958, after Investors Syndicate had purchased the 1909 facility, the Winnipeg Squash Racquet Club opened its present structure at Donald and Stradbrook with two American sized singles courts and a doubles court.
In 1970, the Winnipeg Canoe Club built two American sized singles courts.
In 1976 the Court Sports Club on Taylor ushered in a new era as it introduced the first International sized courts in a public facility.
The Carlton Club built four International courts in 1977 and by 1978 the Squash Club, the Winnipeg Winter Club and the Winnipeg Canoe Club had all converted to the International sized courts, making Winnipeg a leader in the development of the International game in North America.
Currently there are 24 singles courts and 2 doubles courts being utilized by ±2,000 players.
The first Canadian Open Squash Championships held in the Province occurred in 1975. It was hosted by the Winnipeg Squash Racquet Club, played with the English ball, on American sized courts. 21 years later in 1996, the Provincial squash community again hosted the Canadian Open, this time played on the International sized courts.
The first Canadian Champion from the Province was Henry Thiessen, who in 1982 won the Over 35 Championship and since then he has added many more National Age group titles to his accomplishments, as well as a silver medal at the 2005 World Championships. Another notable accomplishment from one of our master athletes is Rick Borland who from 1996-2006 has won 8 Canadian titles.
An athlete/coach named Gene Turk has also made an impact in the Province. Gene was Manitoba’s top Squash player for a 20 year span. Gene began winning Nationals titles at the age of 30 and has continued to win his age group, as recent as 2006. Gene Turk has also been the National Men’s Team Coach for 16 years. Gene was inducted to the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.
The past few years, Manitoba women have made a mark on the National/International map. Marnie Baizley, Alana Miller and Carolyn Russell have all been members on the National Squad. All three athletes have won the Senior National Women’s Title. These three athletes have represented Canada at a number of International Competitions such as Pan Am Games and World Team Championships.
