Thames Valley Clubhouse Burns to the Ground
The building is in flames. Notice the red 5 gallon gasoline can just below the right lower corner of the clubhouse. It helped speed things along. Wind is clearly from the east. (Source: Facebook)
If you look at this headline it would seem that perhaps we are looking at a case of arson. However, that was far from the case although this fire was definitely set intentionally. Not only was it set intentionally but the Fire Chief Milton Mathers, was not only there to observe but to be an active participant. The London Free Press along with their cameras were invited. The staff watched as a group from the first fairway. Various dignitaries and officials were there to witness the proceedings. The intentional torching of the wooden Thames Valley Clubhouse [built in 1930] is a one of a kind event that will never be duplicated in today’s world.
So what happened? The London Public Utilities Commission knew they had a good thing going and the popular Thames Valley Municipal golf course was jammed with golfers from morning to night. Their plan was to turn Thames into a true showcase where the experience inside the clubhouse would match the quality of the course and also match the experience at any club…..public or private. The new clubhouse was to have a grand entrance complete with a coat check area, numerous locker and shower facilities and an unmatched panoramic view of the finishing hole from an outdoor wraparound deck.
The question arose of how to get rid of the old clubhouse. The City municipal golf system was built on a foundation of frugality and the most cost effective way of doing things was often the order of the day. The decision was made to wait for a day in November 1967 when the wind was from the east [so as not to smoke out nearby neighbour Woolsey] and then burn the clubhouse. Pat Ward supplied a five gallon can of gasoline from the maintenance building and the London Fire Chief personally emptied it in the halls of the building. In a ceremony that would do credit to any Olympic Opening Ceremonies, the Golf Professional and the Recreation Director were given portable torches to get the conflagration started. According to eyewitness Peter Boyce, it was over in minutes and the heat generated, incredible. Years after London P.U.C. officials were still debating if it had been the right thing to do.
A classic photo. Fire Chief, extreme left. Sportscaster Alex Kelman next. Golf Professional and Recreation Director with the torches. (Source: Facebook)
Here is the maintenance staff in #1 fairway. Greens Superintendent, Pat Ward is the tallest person and the Assistant Superintendent Malcom McLeod is wearing the red hard hat. (Source: Facebook)
The fire from #18 fairway. (Source: Facebook)
The fire from the first tee. Courtesy John Moffat Jr. (Source: Facebook)
John Moffat Jr checking on the construction of the new clubhouse. (Source: Facebook)
