Harlow Lawn Tennis Club

1986

Club is located at the local Harlow Sportscentre and is operating with limited rented court time. A decision is made to find to an independant site for the Club with the vision of a club being a key partner in a Total Tennis Strategy for Harlow.

Negoiations are started with Harlow Council and the Latton Bush Centre site is identified.

The Club had £6.00 in its bank account.

1988

Harlow Council leases land at the Latton Bush Centre to the Club at a "Peppercorn Rent" for the term of 30 years. 

November 1988 Harlow Tennis Club relocates to the Latton Bush Centre taking over the old School playground to build and develop 4 floodlit outdoor Macadam Courts.

The Club procures grants from the Local Authority and Eastern Region Sports Council, and the Club members act as guarantors to an intrest free LTA loan. The Club continues to grow and adjacent facilities for Clubhouse and toilets are rented.

2 additional Outdoor Courts are built to cater for increased demand.

1993

Nationally significant Schools Outreach Programme is started by the Club.

30 local Primary Schools are covered in the intial year and in excess of 6000 local school children receive free Tennis Taster Sessions.  Increased Membership makes the provision of a Clubhouse on site a top priority.

1995

Clubhouse building project is undertaken and opens in November 1995.

1996 

Club becomes the first Community Tennis Partnership in Essex.  Partners are The Club, Lawn Tennis Association, Harlow District Council and Fawbert & Barnard School.  It becomes increasingly clear that Indoor Tennis Facilities are required if the Club is to deliver its goal for a Total Tennis Strategy for Harlow.

1997

The Club successfully gains Outline Planning Permission for Indoor Tennis Facilities.

1998 - 2001

The Indoor Project is worked up as the Club deals with Planning and Funding issues.

A main Steering Committee is appointed by the Club's main Committee to deal with all issues regarding The Indoor Project.

2002

The Club is granted Lawn Tennis Association Priority Project Status.

The Club discusses with the Essex County LTA regarding becoming a Performance Centre.

The Club gains Full Planning Permission.

2003

The Club Steering Committee completes final details of Funding Applications to Sport England and The Foundation for Sports & Arts.

2004

The Club is awarded a then record Grant for Tennis of £898,000 towards the cost of providing 4 Indoor Floodlit Courts and the provision of 4 additional Outdoor Floodlit Courts and Floodlighting for 2 extisting Outdoor Courts.

2005

The Club agrees a new Lease in partnership with Harlow Council.

2006 - 2007 

4 new Outdoor Floodlit Courts are constructed.

2008

Work begins on the Indoor Courts.

2009

Indoor Courts are completed.

2009 - May

The Club hosts an Offical Opening of the Indoor Courts by Greg Rusedski with many Club Members, Local Councillors, Essex LTA and LTA Councillors present.

Greg Rusedski spent his time socialising with all the Guests and Members and playing Tennis with all of the Mini and Junior Members at all levels, including the older players and Coaches who had a go at returning his "World Famous Serve", aswell as having photographs taken and signing of various items.

2010 to Date

The Club continues to develop it Coaching Programme offering a complete Package for Performance Players who are recognised at County, Regional and National levels. The Club continues working with the Community Schools offering free Indoor Court time during curriculm.  The Club hosts the first competiton for the Schools Tennis Festival for Years 3,4 ,5 & 6. The Club builds its competitive structure with Essex LTA and The LTA, hosting numerous tournaments from Grades 3 - 6, including Fast 4 for Men & Women, and British Tour Events at Tier 3. The Club hosts its own Grade 3 & 4 week long tournaments. The Club becomes a recognised Tennis Facility for hosting The LTA U14 County Cup competitions for Boys and Girls and Mens Seniors County Matches.

The Club gains the License required to create a Members Bar.

The Club creates additional Outdoor Patio Terrace and seating for enhanced Member and Spectator viewing.

The Club re - sprays all courts in traditional Wimbledon colours.

The Future Projects

The Club continues to work up and develop the Facilities further, with plans to enhance the Clubhouse and review Court surfaces and Indoor and Outdoor Lighting.