History of Mount Maunganui Tennis Club
Mount Maunganui Tennis Club, Base Mauao, early 1920's
The Mount Maunganui Tennis Club has a long history dating back to 1922. Mrs Win Courtney was the first lady Club Captain and Mrs Emma Grove was a great instigator of the club.
Mrs Grove apparently donated equipment for a children’s park opposite the old site of the Oceanside Hotel where the Towers are standing today.
The Royal Lifesaving Club was across the road until the 1930’s when it changed to the Mount Surf Lifesaving Club and the tennis courts were at the harbour side end under the Mount.
Initially there were two courts, then three, then five with a volley board.
Our first club house above, was called the "chook house" because when it was found at a great price, the chooks were seen to be running rife throughout the house! Hence the name.
The club's second club house which was purchased in Mangakino and transported to the Mount and positioned at the current site on Blake Park. A new club house (cost $76,000.00 was then built in conjunction with our neighbouring netball club as we shared some of the courts.
An aerial picture (courtesy of Tauranga City Council) shows the clubs eight courts and clubhouse located at Blake Park.
At this time, the clubhouse and courts were shared with Netball during the winter months.
The eight courts were all asphalt, however these were later replaced with the club adding five Tiger-Turf courts (replacing the four asphalt courts nearest the railway line) and four plexipave courts.
In 2014/2015, a significant renovation of the clubhouse was undertaken. This doubled the size of the clubhouse and added a coaches shop.
The club also replaced the four plexipave courts with Rebound Ace and upgraded to LED lights.
The clubs courts and clubhouse prior to 2019 and now (below).
The club is fortunate to have four Rebound Ace Courts (1-4) and five Tiger Turf courts (5-9), LED Lighting and a clubhouse with capacity for up to 100 people complete with licensed bar, full kitchen facilities and changing rooms.
