History and Future of Tennis in Halton Hills

1970

The Georgetown Tennis club was formed playing on the two courts located in Joseph Gibbons Park. The club membership quickly grew providing house leagues, competitive teams and fun for the whole family.  At the same time there was an active club playing in Acton at the courts in Prospect Park. Both clubs played competitively in leagues organized by the Intercounty Tennis Association which made for some friendly rivalries during the summer months.  

1975 – 1979

Tennis was rapidly gaining interest in the community with increases in youth and family participation becoming very evident. The Town asked the President of the existing tennis club, and others to participate on the Recreation Department’s Advisory Committee to assist in creation of the first Vision for Tennis in Halton Hills.

This Vision document was the driving force behind actions including:

a) Construction of four new courts beside the Gordon Alcott Arena in 1979

b) Georgetown Tennis Club moved to the new courts beside the arena and adopted the name Gordon Alcott Tennis Club and the mission of "Develop an environment that promotes participation in the leisure activity tennis, with structure and programs supported by volunteers and partners"

The club executive and volunteers raised funds and purchased a small pre-fab club house that was installed overlooking the four courts providing a meeting place adding a social element, a vantage point to view action on the courts and to give a sense of community.

c) Creation of the Halton Hills Tennis Association (HHTA), collaboration between Parks and Recreation representatives and executive members of the tennis club in Georgetown.  The Association sponsored various community tournaments and supported programs organized by the club for youth and families to enjoy and grow the sport 

1980 – 2009

From the 80s through 2009, the Club organized a wide variety of programs to encourage the use of the facilities, and grow the sport such as:

• Annual Club Tournaments for adults, juniors and seniors
• Competitive Inter-County teams: Mixed, Ladies, Juniors and Senior
• Junior Development program
• Providing instructors for Recreation and Parks lesson program
• House Leagues for adults and juniors
• Lessons for public and club members
• Special events: Wilson Racquet Demo, exhibitions

The results have been positive and the growth in player numbers has averaged 10+% per year between 2000 and 2010.

2010

With participation in the sport of tennis increasing and the anticipated population growth in the community going forward, a small committee from GATC executive was formed to create a Vision document outlining the tennis facility requirements for the community replacing the older document from the HHTA created in late 70’s. The resulting study produced a second-forward looking document - “A Vision for Tennis in Halton Hills, 2010 – 2031”.

The Vision document included research, based on population forecasts, player projections and the facilities of many regional tennis clubs. It predicted that there will be approximately 1000 tennis players in the area by 2021 and close to 1500 by 2031. With the goal of providing improved leisure sport activities as part of a healthy life style in the community, it is evident that there is a need for more tennis facilities.

Based on this research, GATC submitted a proposal to the Town and the Town approved a 2-phase plan:

Phase 1

• A 6-court Tennis facility at the Gellert Community Centre in time for the 2012 season
• Incorporation of the tennis club as a Non-profit organization named Halton Hills Tennis Club  (HHTC)
• Halton Hills Tennis Club assume responsibilities as the sole provider of tennis programs for Halton Hills

Phase 2

• The plan includes the addition of two mores courts in the future and HHTC’s goal is to add a dome over four existing courts for winter tennis, when financially feasible

2010 - 2013

2010… saw the process of planning, review and approval for the construction of the new 6 court tennis facility which began late that year, continued through 2011 with target completion date in early 2012, including the moving of the old pre-fab club house from its 30+ year location beside the arenas to the new location.

2011 - 2012 … while court construction was going on, HHTC prepared and submitted an application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in early 2012, requesting funds to cover extensive interior and exterior renovations to the club house to provide full accessibility, and  purchase additional on-court equipment to support new programs.

2012 - 2013 ... the OTF application was successful and funds were granted to the club in late 2012. Renovations began in the winter of 2012 and concluded in the summer of 2013 providing full accessibility to the building, a large wraparound deck, and the additional on-court equipment supporting the clubs development programs.  

In September of 2013 a recognition and celebration event was hosted by HHTC members and families in the Gellert Community Centre to honour the contribution from OTF supporting the renovation to the club house and to celebrate the new community tennis facility.

2014 and Beyond     

With HHTC now fully established at the Gellert Community Park courts the club expanded the program offerings to meet the interests of the growing membership along with increased interest and participation throughout the community in playing the sport of tennis.

New lesson programs for the spring, summer and fall seasons are well attended by eager children and adults as interest and participation in the sport of tennis grows and contributes to a healthy outdoor life style.

Summer tennis camps for youth  offered to the community by the tennis club prove to be increasingly popular each season. Under the direction of the club’s Head Tennis Pro children from ages 5 to 14 enjoy weekly camps throughout July and August. There are many options offered including full or half days, early and late drop off /pick up, and weekly swim at the Gellert pool. Camps and lessons are offered to the community with no obligation to join the club.

HHTC is dedicated to providing tennis programs, leagues and social events going forward to serve the community well into the future.