The Coolhurst Story
1903
Coolhurst Lawn Tennis Club founded - the clubhouse
was in the area now open alongside the grass courts.
1919
On returning from World War I, members of the lawn
tennis club decided they would like to make the most
of their leisure time and play on hard courts.
2 December - Nuthurst Hard Courts Tennis Club was formed, with Mr R E F Johns, a founder member of the Coolhurst club, as Honorary Secretary. Membership was based on that of the lawn tennis club.
1920
The committee of the new hard courts club gained a
14-year lease on the ground now occupied by the all-weather courts. Five red shale courts were laid and
opened for play.
1921
In order to buy the freehold of the ground, and to be
recognised legally, a small private limited company was
formed - Nuthurst Proprietary ltd. Members subscribed
the sum of £1,000 and the freehold of the hard courts
ground was bought for £900.
1924
Costing £550, the hard courts pavilion was built.
1936
Squash courts 1 and 2 were built at a cost of £1,640,
financed by a loan for which Nuthurst deposited the
freehold deeds of the ground.
1954
Nuthurst purchased the freehold of the driveway
approaching the hard courts for £50.
1956
The company bought the freehold of the grass cours for £1,850, financed by a loan of £2,060, secured against
the company's freehold land and buildings.
1964
The first 'balloon' court cover in the country is put up
at Coolhurst at a cost of around £4000 - a facility
allowing play all the year round in any weather.
1971
Two new squash courts - 3 and 4 - were built at a cost
of £18,000, financed by a ten-year mortgage loan
(again secured on the company's freeholds).
1982
The company's freeholds were made available to
Coolhurst as security for a loan of up to £31,000, to
finance laying and lighting of new all-weather courts.
1986
Constructed on what used to be Court 9, the new club
house was opened.
1989
Coolhurst Studio and Gym opened for business, offering aerobics, fitness, dance and tanning.
1990
Internal restructuring of squash courts 3 and 4 affords a
banked viewing area behind a new glass back on court
3 while retaining a balcony view over court 4.
2003
A revamped studio and gym opens to offer members
fitness classes, Pilates, dance, treatments and facilities
for warming up and down.