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Tennis courts renamed to honour Kostrzewa

Portage Park tennis courts will be known as the Dorothy Kostrzewa Tennis Courts after city council approved the renaming,
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The tennis courts at Portage Park have been renamed in memory of Dorothy Kostrzewa.

For many years, athletic city councillor Dorothy Kostrzewa could be found hitting tennis balls on the Portage Park tennis courts.

She continued to play until she was 80.

Those well-loved tennis courts will be known as the Dorothy Kostrzewa Tennis Courts after city council approved the renaming, with the blessing of the Kostrzewa family at the May 7 meeting.

The move was made to honour the late city councillor’s 31 dedicated years of service to the City of Chilliwack. There were more than a few tears shed during the announcement.

“Dorothy Kostrzewa gave so much to Chilliwack through community governance as a city councillor, but also in the development of sport,” says Mayor Sharon Gaetz. “Prior to her passing in January, Dorothy continued to be involved in several sports, acting as an ambassador for the games she enjoyed so much, particularly tennis.

She was key in the development of the Chilliwack Tennis Club, coaching junior and senior players for 21 years and organized tennis tournaments from 1979 to 1985. In 1984, she was recognized as the “Sportsman of the Year” for her service to young people.

She was also an avid bowler, who played softball and badminton, as well as tennis.

“This is a fitting tribute to someone whose legacy we will never forget,” says Gaetz. “This Grand Lady of Chilliwack has left her mark in our community and in our hearts.”

At the meeting Gordon Pederson said of all the sports she enjoyed, it was tennis that she was most passionate about.

The tennis courts at Portage Park were her “second home,” he said, and a plaque will eventually be installed to honour her memory.

jfeinberg@theprogress.com

Twitter.com/chwkjourno



Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering the arts, city hall, as well as Indigenous, and climate change stories.
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