Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club

What Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club does

Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club (VLTBC) is a private, member-owned racquet and athletics club founded in 1897 and headquartered at 1630 West 15th Avenue in Vancouver, British Columbia. The club operates from a single facility that includes 16 tennis courts (12 hard surface and 4 clay), 6 badminton courts in North America's first purpose-built badminton hall (built 1928), 5 squash courts in a centralized Squash Centre opened December 2016, a 20-metre heated outdoor pool, whirlpool, fitness rooms, steam rooms, saunas, and locker rooms, plus four dining venues (Players' Lounge, Players' Bistro, Pub & Deck, Poolside). The club serves over 4,000 members under three tiers: Playing Membership (full access), Badminton/Squash Membership (non-tennis), and Social Membership (dining, pool, fitness), with junior programming and private event hosting as supplementary services.

The club generates revenue through a hybrid model combining one-time entrance fees (CAD $18,000-$60,000 plus GST, depending on tier and individual/couple status), recurring monthly dues (CAD $146.10-$401.81), recurring monthly capital fees (CAD $31.38-$125.54) earmarked for facility reinvestment, minimum quarterly food charges (CAD $75 individual / $150 couple), food and beverage transactions, and private event hosting fees. Membership admissions are selective — prospective members must obtain four sponsor references from current members and receive approval from a Membership Committee and Board of Directors, and Playing Membership is currently at capacity with a maintained waitlist. Marketing is primarily word-of-mouth via the referral-based admissions process and the club's 125+ year heritage, with the website (vanlawn.com) used for inquiries.

The club is governed by a member-elected Board of Directors, holds no venture capital or institutional ownership, and has operated debt-free for extended periods (1947, 2005). Its leadership team is led by General Manager Mike Kenney, with department heads covering Member Services, Athletics, Food & Beverage, Events & Member Experience, Operations, Human Resources, and Finance (Controller Rose Thauberger), supported by elite-level coaching staff (Head Tennis Professional Glenn Richards, Head Squash Professional Viktor Berg, Head Badminton Professional Ram Nayyar). The club offers reciprocal access at 250+ private clubs worldwide across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, and is affiliated with the International Associate Clubs (IAC) network.

Name

Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club

Legal name

Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club

Website

https://vanlawn.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1897

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club is a privately held, member-owned private racquet and athletics club founded in 1897 in Vancouver, BC, serving over 4,000 members with 16 tennis courts, 6 badminton courts, 5 squash courts, a heated outdoor pool, fitness facilities, and dining venues across three membership tiers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Athletic & Social Club

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKABAF

Tennis & Racquet Sports Clubs (Tennis, Padel, Pickleball, Squash)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Professional Sports Teams & Clubs

SECONDARYMPAKAEAH

Multi-Sport Complexes & Community Sports Parks

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Venues & Facilities (Stadiums, Arenas, Tracks, Complexes)

Keywords

• Private club memberships
• Tennis and badminton
• Athletic club services
• Recreational sports facilities
• Social club amenities

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees - Entrance Fees: One-time entrance fees for Playing, Badminton/Squash, and Social memberships ranging from $18,000 to $60,000 depending on membership type and category (individual/couple). Entrance fees are subject to GST and financing options are available.
2. Monthly Membership Dues: Recurring monthly dues ranging from $243.05 (Individual Playing) to $401.81 (Couple Playing), with additional charges for children aged 19-30. Non-resident membership options available at lower quarterly rates.
3. Capital Fee: Monthly capital fees ranging from $31.38 to $125.54 depending on membership type and residency status, supporting ongoing facility improvements and renovations.
4. Food & Beverage Revenue: Revenue from dining venues including Players' Lounge, Players' Bistro, Pub, and poolside dining. Minimum quarterly food charges apply ($75 individual, $150 couple).
5. Event Hosting & Catering: Private event hosting services including weddings, meetings, and social gatherings with catering capabilities. Professional catering staff and multiple venue options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club is a private members club founded in 1897 in Vancouver, BC, that operates tennis, badminton, squash, fitness, aquatics, dining, and social facilities for over 4,000 members. It sells tiered memberships (Playing, Badminton/Squash, and Social categories) with entrance fees, monthly dues, and capital fees, and provides reciprocal access to more than 250 affiliated private clubs worldwide.

Product overview

Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club is a private racquet sports and athletics club offering a portfolio of membership tiers and recreational services. The core offerings are three membership types: Playing Membership (full access to 16 tennis courts, 6 badminton courts, 5 squash courts, pool, fitness, and dining), Badminton/Squash Membership (non-tennis racquet access), and Social Membership (dining, pool, and fitness access). Supporting services include racquet sports programs and coaching, fitness and aquatics facilities, tournament events, and multiple dining venues (Players' Lounge, Players' Bistro, Pub & Deck, Poolside Dining). Event hosting capabilities round out the service portfolio. The club is distinguished by its historical legacy (founded 1897) and claim to Vancouver's first purpose-built badminton hall in North America.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Playing Membership
• Badminton/Squash Membership
• Social Membership
• Fitness & Aquatics Facilities
• Junior Programs & Summer Camps
• Dining & Event Hosting
• Reciprocal Club Privileges Access arrangement with more than 250 affiliated private clubs worldwide, allowing members reciprocal use of partner clubs when travelling.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tournament draws 300+ participants annually from across BC and beyond
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Calgary Winter ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges providing access for members visiting Calgary. Located at 4611 14 Street Northwest, Calgary, AB T2K 1J7.
• Royal Glenora ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges for Edmonton-based members. Located at 11160 River Valley Road Northwest, Edmonton, AB T5J 2G7.
• Glencoe ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges for Calgary members. Located at 636 29 Avenue Southwest, Calgary, AB T2S 0P1.
• The Ranchmen's ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges for Calgary members. Located at 710 - 13 Avenue Southwest, Calgary, AB T2R 0K9.
• The Petroleum ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges for Calgary members. Located at 319 - 5th Avenue Southwest, Calgary, AB T2P 0L5.
• Hollyburn Country ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges (dining only) for West Vancouver members. Located at 950 Crosscreek Road, West Vancouver, BC V7S 2S5.
• Union Club of British ColumbiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges for Victoria members. Located at 805 Gordon Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1Z6.
• Kooyong Lawn Tennis ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges for Australian members. Located at 489 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong, VIC 3144, Australia. Prestigious Australian tennis venue.
• Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges for Melbourne, Australia area members. Located at Williams North Road, Toorak VIC 3142, Australia.
• Tokyo American ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges for Japan-based members. Located at 2-1-2 Azabudai, Minato, Tokyo 106-0041, Japan.
• Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges for Ireland-based members. Located at Appian Way, Dublin 6, Ireland. Historic Irish tennis venue.
• West Side Tennis ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges for New York area members. Located at 1 Tennis Place, Forest Hills, NY 11375, USA. Historic US Open venue.
• Olympic ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges for San Francisco members. Located at 524 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA.
• International Associate Clubs (IAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccess to additional private IAC membership clubs worldwide with preferential golf green fees at IAC golf clubs. Network of exclusive private clubs globally.
• Granite ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges for Toronto members. Located at 2350 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M2L 1E4.
• The Badminton & Racquets ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges for Toronto members. Located at 25 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, ON M4V 1L3.
• Club AtwaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges for Montreal members. Located at 3505 Avenue Atwater, Montréal, QC H3H 1Y2.
• Tennis Club Italiano di TorontominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club privileges for Toronto area members.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club: Historic Melbourne private lawn tennis club listed as a reciprocal partner of VLTBC. Closely comparable heritage tennis-only private club serving affluent Australian families.
• The Granite Club: Toronto private athletic and social club with extensive racquet sports, fitness, aquatics, dining, and event facilities. Direct peer on club model, multi-sport positioning, and membership tiering; also a reciprocal club partner of VLTBC.
• West Side Tennis Club: Historic Forest Hills, NY tennis club (former US Open venue) operating as a private member club with reciprocal privileges at VLTBC. Comparable heritage tennis club with elite tournament programming.
• The Queen's Club: London private multi-racquet club (tennis, squash, real tennis) with a similar heritage, multi-sport private club model and reciprocal network participation. Direct peer on the heritage racquet club formula.
• Calgary Winter Club: Calgary private athletic club offering racquet sports, fitness, aquatics, dining, and social amenities with a similar multi-tier membership structure. Reciprocal club partner of VLTBC and serves a comparable affluent Western Canadian demographic.
• Royal Glenora Club: Edmonton private athletic and social club with racquet sports, fitness, and dining. Direct peer in the Western Canadian private club ecosystem and a listed reciprocal club of VLTBC.
• Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club: Historic Toronto private club with strong tennis, squash, and curling programs. Closely comparable heritage private racquet club model serving affluent families with multi-generational membership.
• The Badminton & Racquets Club: Toronto private club specializing in badminton, squash, and racquets with reciprocal privileges at VLTBC. Highly comparable as a heritage racquet-focused private club; arguably the closest functional peer for VLTBC's badminton hall identity.

Regional players

• Hollyburn Country Club: West Vancouver private member club offering racquet, fitness, and aquatic amenities with reciprocal privileges noted with VLTBC. Highly comparable multi-generational private club model in the same metro region, competing for the same high-income demographic.

Broad incumbents

• The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club: World-renowned private tennis club hosting The Championships, Wimbledon. Comparable heritage lawn tennis club model with elite tournament programming and selective membership, though operating at far larger scale and international visibility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club