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The Wychwood Tennis Club was founded in 1928 by a group of ten residents (Messrs. Raby, Kemp, Bailey, Richard, Dunlevie, Draper, Barnabé, Coulson, Brulé and Lewis) who contributed $200 towards the purchase of the tennis courts. It's worth bearing in mind that, at the time, Wychwood was a summer settlement of thirty to forty families separated from Aylmer by hayfields and pastures - it wasn't uncommon to encounter a cow wandering down Lake Street - and linked to Hull and Ottawa by an electric streetcar line.
The grounds were originally all built of shale, which posed many problems both in terms of maintenance and the provision of an adequate playing surface. The economic crisis of 1929 caused difficulties for the Club, which was saved through fund-raising efforts organized by the women of the community. The war years saw a renaissance of the Club, thanks to many servicemen interested in tennis and living in Wychwood.
The '50s were again a difficult period financially, with membership income tending to remain relatively stable in the face of steadily rising operating costs. The problem of lack of funds was partly solved by the construction in 1958 or 1959 of the Wychwood Canteen, built on the basis of a bank loan taken out by the Club's directors. Income from leasing the canteen to a concessionaire was used to pay taxes and cover regular maintenance costs. These revenues also made it possible to resurface the grounds with clay.
Although the construction of the canteen largely solved the Club's financial problems, it did not solve the larger problem of permanently preserving the property for recreational purposes. To this end, under the chairmanship of Harold Grace, son-in-law of P.M. Draper, one of the original shareholders, negotiations began for the City of Aylmer to take control of the land. However, the city asked that the Club continue to provide tennis services, not wanting to lose this activity and not wanting the burden.
In 1974, the city installed lighting for the fields.
In 1979, the Club built the clubhouse thanks to a loan from the City of Aylmer, which was repaid in five years. The city was responsible for installing municipal services from the street to the chalet. The chalet was handed over to the city for the symbolic sum of $1 immediately after its construction.
In 1989, at the Club's request, the city converted the courts to hard surface. With clay, the season would start three weeks later and be just as shortened, not to mention having to wait days after heavy rain.
The Club has enjoyed a dynamic history since 2007, with more youngsters than ever coming to play outside lesson times. An elaborate program of courses and clinics has been put in place, for both youngsters and adults.
In 2024, the Club modernized with a new website, electronic registration and credit card payment.
The Club will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2028!