History of The Avenue Lawn Tennis, Squash and Fitness Club

History and Development of the Club

1900-1960

The Avenue dates back to 1902 when a group of players leased 4 grass courts on Havant Recreation Ground from the council. In 1908 the subscription was recorded at seven shillings and six pence per member. In 1912 the club became affiliated to the Hampshire LTA at a cost of one guinea.

In 1919 the decision was taken to move to the present site and the club became known as the Avenue Lawn Tennis Club. It is believed that the Club got its name because the original entrance from Emsworth Road was down a track winding between an avenue of trees. It took only 2 years for the club to be out of the red, having paid for the small pavilion and ground levelling.

In 1929 five new grass courts were laid, making nine in all. In 1939 a new pavilion was built, positioned where the car park and court 1 adjoin. During the Second World War one row of courts had not been used, the club was overdrawn and subscriptions had to be increased again. Arrangements were made for one member to graze his sheep on the unused grass courts.

In 1947 a new lease for 21 years was obtained from the owner Miss Marter. The rent was £15 per year. Croquet was also played at the Avenue and in 1955 a croquet match was played on 2 courts. In 1959 three shale hard courts were laid where courts 15, 16 and 17 are today.

1960-2000

In 1964 Miss Marter died and Havant Council purchased her land which included the Avenue Club, the market garden, the thatched cottage and most of the lane between Emsworth Road and the shore. The Club purchased the grounds from the council on September 25th 1967 for the sum of £5,000. The agreement included the council retaining a ransom strip around the club effectively making it impossible to re-sell to anyone other than the council. A new entrance was created in Southleigh Road replacing the original entrance on the Emsworth Road.

In the early seventies it was decided to build two squash courts and these were completed in 1972. The Club then became The Avenue Lawn Tennis and Squash Club. A year later the present club house was completed for approximately £12,000. In 1976 the third squash court was built.
In 1977 the three shale courts were replaced with three macadam courts. In 1980, just seven years after the pavilion was built, the state of the changing rooms was discussed at the AGM, and probably every AGM since.

In 1993 the multi-gym was introduced and in 1994 the Emerald hard courts were laid and floodlighting installed on two courts. 

2000’s

In 2001 the four Astroturf courts were laid and the other three hard courts renewed, with new high fencing all around and with floodlighting now on four courts.

Since 2004 improvements have been made to the bar, lounge and function room areas and the fitting of sliding doors between the latter two rooms has greatly improved flexibility. The gym has been extended to accommodate additional equipment; a tennis practice wall has been added and floodlighting extended so that all seven hard courts can now be illuminated. Last year a process of ‘rejuvenation’ was carried out on the four Astroturf courts which should extend their life by a further 5 years. In addition, security fencing and a secure entry system have been installed to prevent illegal access to the courts, the fencing between the two rows of grass courts has been renewed and the car park has been resurfaced.

On the social side the Club now has an active Social Committee who organise many functions such as Quiz nights, BBQs, dance classes, Christmas dinner, games evenings, themed events (eg James Bond night) and Halloween party.