Where Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi goes to wind down
This off-leash park in West Vancouver has been a family favourite for the Lenarduzzis for more than 3 decades
Having spent 35 years living on the North Shore with his wife, Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi doesn't hesitate when asked about his favourite spot in B.C.
When he's not busy watching the Whitecaps at BC Place, he's watching the dogs play rough at the off-leash area of Ambleside Park in West Vancouver.
"My wife and I have had dogs pretty much the whole 35 years that we have been married so we have spent a considerable amount of time at the dog park," Lenarduzzi said.
"On a beautiful day it's heavenly."
The park sits right on the water, surrounded by tall trees and with clear views of Stanley Park and Vancouver.
"We refer to it as a happy place," Lenarduzzi said.
"Everything around it — the dogs, the setting, it's just a breakaway from all the stress that you face with your job and your home life."
The Lenarduzzis used to keep springer spaniels — they had three in a row — but after their daughter left them with a Boston terrier-Chihuahua mix, they became fond of the breed and have since taken on a Boston Terrier.
Lenarduzzi says he enjoys watching the dogs tumbling and running around and finds it relaxing, especially in combination with the setting.
"Even on not so beautiful a day, dogs just make you chuckle," he said.
"Most of them are off-leash, and they're just having a great time."
Stress levels may be on the rise for Lenarduzzi with the start of the soccer season.
The Whitecaps have played three league games so far this season, but are still looking for their first win.
But he's confident there's still plenty of time to turn things around given that the team still has more than 30 league games still to play.
"We just need to get a win under our belts and then hopefully things will turn around as a result," he said.