Who We Are

A Sense of Giving

Our History

The Lions Club of Port Dalhousie was chartered in 1948 with 75 members, under the leadership of Charter President Romaine K. Ross, Q.C.

It operated a lacrosse league each season, and built a lacrosse bowl in Port Dalhousie on land it eventually purchased from Canadian Canners. The current club still sits at this location where it renovated the original Canner’s building. The club supported Boy Scout-Girl Guide acitivities, weekly bingo, a day Nursery School, the local Red Cross, Canadairs Bugle Band, Women’s Institute and various local groups.

Free Swimming instruction was provided in conjuction with the Red Cross and over 16 Years registration exceeded 10,000 persons.

The club took part in helping finance the Lake Joseph Camp for the Blind, as well as providing examinations and eye glasses where needed. It was heavily involved in Port Dalhousie with Christmas cheer in season, school bursaries and a variety of community activities rounding out its programs.

Olcott Lions Club

The Olcott Lions Club is the “sister” or “twin” club of the Port Dalhousie Lions Club located on the shores of Lake Ontario in Olcott, NY.

Original Canning Factory Building

1913

Located on the NS&T Railway Port Dalhousie line, the Port Dalhousie Canning Company was opened in 1913 by Chris Fretz of Vineland. They packaged an average of 50,000 cases of fruits and vegetables each year. The company was taken over by Canadian Canners in 1923, the biggest canning company in the country, and they shifted processing and packing operations to other area canners. Thereafter, the Port Dalhousie building was used only for storage. It was last listed in city directories in 1927.

Port Dalhousie Lions Centre

2022

The Lions Club purchased the old cannery for a community centre in June 1952. The Port Dalhousie Scouts used the second floor for meetings.

Service to Community

The Port Dalhousie Lions Club provides support to community organizations and groups who support those in need throughout Niagara. Our primary causes include:

Blind and Visually Impaired
Hunger and Food Insecurity
Homeless Supports
Our Environment
Children

Learn more about all of our community supports in our news feed.

Diversity Statement

The Port Dalhousie Lions Club is committed to inclusivity in our club and our community. We are committed to making everyone feel welcome whether as a guest at our events, or as a member of our club. Our club and membership commit to building our membership, serving our community, and conducing our business with the following principles of diversity:

We commit to attracting a diverse membership that is inclusive of all segments of our community regardless of ethnicity, race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexuality, or profession.
We commit to valuing our individual differences with as much importance as our similarities.
We commit to creating a respectful and inclusive space where everyone feels safe and welcome, both in our meetings and our community events and service.
We commit to providing service to all members of our community by championing kindness and actively working to improve the lives of all people.