The Arbutus Club Archives

Food & Beverage The Arbutus Club Archives

It's that time of year when our outdoor courts spring to life again, so what better time to take an archive flashback to the 1970s when the tennis program was just getting into full swing

Over the last two years, the Communications team has been taking a deep dive into the Club's archives each week on social media for our Throwback Thursdays. The retrospective posts focused largely on the beginnings of the Club from our sod turning ceremony, marking the start of construction, to the swiftly expanding programs offered during the latter half of the 1960s. These black and white flashbacks of our roots proved immensely popular with members, who were happy to identify family members or provide a reflective anecdote of an event. Hopping forward a decade, we decided to move into the coloured era of the Farrah Fawcett shag, tube socks, and short shorts. While the foundation of the Club may have been built upon ice sports, the diversity of programming really hit its stride in the 1970s with the growth of racquet sports. "It was a lot of fun for young families at the time, especially those beginning to play tennis" says longtime member Anne Paris. She joined The Arbutus Club in 1971, alongside her husband Raymond Paris, and has many fond memories of the Tennis program during the decade. Recalling

The Arbutus Club Archives

that there were only four outdoor courts at the time, Anne says there was a unique, family-focused feeling amongst all those that shared the space. "Playing tennis [during the 70s] was a unifying experience and you made friends for life. It felt like we were all on the same level and it was more-so about the fun that we had together," Anne recalls. "In the 70s we were all involved in multiple different activities and events, it was very family oriented."

Over the years, tennis has expanded and has become one of the fixture programs that define the heart and soul of The Arbutus Club. While we may have added more courts and loyal participants, the program remains accessible for all ages and experience levels. We look forward to many more years of tennis memories to come. ♦

It was a lot of fun for young families at the time, especially those beginning to play tennis.

- anne paris, arbutus club member

Food & Beverage The Arbutus Club Archives

Playing tennis [during the 70s] was a unifying experience and you made friends for life.

- anne paris, arbutus club member