Today at NVRC, we are celebrating Elmer Helm’s 100th birthday!
Who is Elmer? For many locals, this avid tennis and pickleball player, gym goer and community champion needs no introduction. If you've played tennis in North Vancouver over the past 30 years, chances are your experience has been enriched by Elmer's volunteerism, fundraising and advocacy work. Regulars at the Delbrook fitness centre know him as the remarkable nonagenarian who shows up most days of the week to get in his regular cardio and strength training workout.
We recently sat down with Elmer to talk about his life's work, staying active as he enters his 100th year and his philosophy on giving back.
A lifetime of community service
Originally from Vancouver Island, Elmer has called North Vancouver home for decades — long enough to remember when the roads were still unpaved. When he and his late wife, Ollie, first went to view the property in the Delbrook neighbourhood that would become their family home, Delbrook Avenue was a dirt road. "We had to hike in to see it," he recalls. Remarkably, Elmer continues to live independently in that same home today.
Elmer’s commitment to community service and sport began early. He grew up on a farm, spent his free time fishing and hunting, and played a wide variety of sports throughout his teen years. "There were just three girls and four guys in my graduating class at a small high school on northern Vancouver Island," he explains. "We had to play against the high schools in Courtenay, Campbell River, Comox, Cumberland...and we had to play everything because there were so few of us!"
When he graduated in 1944, during World War II, he served in the Canadian Navy. Coming home two years later, he found himself at a bit of a loose end. “I thought I'd go logging with my brother,” he remembers, “but the Department of Veterans Affairs fellow said, ‘Well, you’ve got your junior matric, why don’t you go to university?’ So, I went to university, and I majored in physical education and got my BA.” Later, Elmer would go on to study for a master’s degree. “In the social work department, there was a program called Social Group Work — working with recreation, with people. So, I thought, well, that would be good. And I had a real natural ability for working with teenagers and that.”
He started his professional career organizing recreation and physical education programs for youth in East Vancouver and later moved on to become the Executive Director of Gordon Neighbourhood House in Vancouver’s West End. He was also heavily involved in the Association of Neighbourhood Houses BC, particularly in the development of the Sasamat Outdoor Centre, a summer camp and outdoor education facility near Belcarra. “The camp became a real gem, a sort of resort.” says Elmer. “We developed it—we got a lot of projects done, and I set up a foundation [for its operation and maintenance]. And when I retired in 1990, they had a big celebration, and the president of the camp told me they had named the main building Helm Lodge, after me!” “The Association of Neighbourhood Houses also set up a foundation in my name, the Elmer Helm Youth Fund. It’s a bursary fund for people graduating from high school and going to technical school or university, and when I think of it now, over 200 scholarships have been given out to deserving students since then!”
An indoor tennis facility for North Vancouver
After this long and impactful career, Elmer found a new outlet for his love of sport and community spirit: tennis. And that’s where his connection to NVRC really begins.
“My wife, Ollie and I played tennis. We traveled all over BC for competitions, competed in the BC Senior Games, and even won the gold for BC at the Canadian Seniors in Saskatchewan!"
“I got involved in the Seniors Tennis Association of the North Shore (STANS) and later became president for many years,” says Elmer. “And while I was president, I was asked to head up a committee to help secure a much-needed indoor tennis facility for North Vancouver.”
It took several years of advocacy. “We set up booths in the grocery stores, to get people interested and get their signatures, so we could bring a petition to the councils at the City and District of North Vancouver." In the meantime, an existing indoor tennis bubble on private property at the foot of Capilano Road became available. "And we got people to clean it up, and we handled the operations." Through that innovative project, they were able to demonstrate the community's need for an indoor, year-round tennis facility and fundraise approximately $100,000 in user fees. "We then handed over those user fees to the Recreation Commission for the construction of a permanent indoor tennis facility." Elmer and his colleagues were also involved in other aspects of the project, working with then-Mayor Don Bell to secure a site for the centre and using their learnings from operating the tennis bubble to advise on design and operation. All that hard work by Elmer and many others led to the construction of what is now the North Vancouver Tennis Centre (originally named the Grant Connell Tennis Centre after the local tennis ace of the same name).
"I cut the ribbon with Grant, and the mayor and the chair of the Recreation Commission," Elmer remembers, smiling. He continued to be involved in STANS and the Tennis Centre for many years, providing support for the tennis community on the North Shore as well as the then-burgeoning pickleball community. His pride is obvious as he talks about the Tennis Centre now. "It's so popular. It’s always full right up!" he notes with a laugh.
Active aging at the Delbrook Fitness Centre
While tennis was Elmer’s sport of choice for decades, these days you're more likely to find him at a different recreation facility. Elmer makes near-daily visits to the Delbrook fitness centre, where he's become something of an institution. "Because of my work on the Tennis Centre, I was awarded a lifetime membership to the North Vancouver recreation centres," he explains, "and that's when I started going to the gym more." When asked about his specific routine, he notes, "The thing that I do most is the stationary bicycle, the rowing machine, and also the pulleys... arms and legs exercises. It's so important to keep active!" he adds, mentioning that it helps him keep up with his regular golf games.
His positive, friendly attitude make him a favourite with staff as well. "Elmer is the life and soul of the Delbrook fitness centre — when he is not playing golf in the desert, that is!" says Gillian, one of our front desk staff at Delbrook. "Along with his invariably cheerful self, he brings fun, energy and inspiration to every visit and to everyone he meets. He brightens my day every time I have to 'ding' him... his code for asking me to scan him in, because he didn't bring his membership card."
Recognition and reflection on a life of service
Elmer’s decades of dedication haven't gone unnoticed. In 2012, Elmer received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his lifetime of giving back to the community. Reflecting on his life’s work, he notes, "I've worked with hundreds of volunteers in different organizations, and I think getting young people involved in the community is so important." For himself, Elmer credits volunteering and community service for opening doors and shaping his life story. "It's a rewarding experience," he says.
Celebrating Elmer’s centennial
Speaking of rewards, when we met up, Elmer was looking forward to his centennial birthday celebrations. "I've got a room booked here at Delbrook for a celebration with the tennis players, the pickleball players and all the people I've met who go to the gym here," he says. "In addition to that, there's a big family event planned! I've got a big, big family and many are coming in from out of town!"
100 years of sport and service is certainly something worth celebrating! Elmer’s daughter, Janet, agrees. "I truly believe his positive attitude and lifelong commitment to community are what have kept him so engaged and active all these years!"
On behalf of everyone at NVRC, Heather Turner, Director of Recreation & Culture had this to say, “Elmer’s career and community service have provided him with a solid understanding of the value of activity, volunteerism, creativity and human connection, and he continues to support those values every day! Today, we have the chance to say thank you, Elmer, for your community service, for your leadership and for being an advocate and supporter of public recreation. We are so grateful that you’ve been a member of the North Vancouver Recreation & Culture family for decades, and we wish you a happy 100th birthday and continued good health and success!”
A word from the man himself
Addressing his many fans, friends and family members at his birthday celebration at Delbrook earlier today, Elmer was all gratitude and smiles: “I’ve been very fortunate to have a great life, and many adventures,” he said. “I’ve been rewarded and recognized in many ways, and I appreciate that. And I appreciate all the friends I’ve had! From tennis, pickleball and in the gym! It’s been wonderful, seeing you all here. I appreciate it and wish you all the best! And I’m looking forward... Now that I’ve reached 100, my goal is 105!”
