German Canadian Club Of Lethbridge - Lethbridge

Aside from some of the prisoner of war returnees, a good number of German-speaking immigrants arrived in Lethbridge starting around 1951.Many were seeking new opportunities for a new life in  a country not ravaged by war. They came from Germany, Austria, and former German-speaking communities in central and eastern Europe (Volksdeutsche).

German speaking immigrants searched for social interaction with other German-speaking immigrants. For the younger men, soccer was a natural venue for meeting other young people. Social dances as remembered from their homelands were opportunities for married as well as for single people to get to know each other. To satisfy this need, the German Canadian Club (initially Lethbridge Bomber Soccer Club) was born. This group’s function was to facilitate social activities including dinners, dances, a German language school, and trips to Germany.

At the General Meeting of 1977, a new constitution was approved. The objectives stated:

1.       To promote and maintain the German culture

2.       To promote recreation activities

3.       To promote understanding among all Canadians whatever cultural background

While the club at present has a strong membership and remains a vibrant organization, many of the subgroups have been discontinued after many years of their existence. With the completion of the club hall and the objectives communicated in the 1977 constitution, most of their goals have come to fruition. Since then, the club is becoming more of a social club including more English-speaking Canadians who enjoy the German cultural flavor.

It must be remembered that not all German-speaking immigrants that came to Lethbridge had the need or the desire to refresh their German memories through membership in the club. However, those who do or did are grateful to be in a country where such memories are not only permitted but even encouraged through the government’s multicultural policies.