GRASS COURT IN AURORA OFFICIALLY OPENED

On Monday July 6, 2015 the Hillary House Tennis Court was officially opened for play! After months of preparation and help from partners such as Advanced Tree Care, Zander Sod, Timberlane, and the Town of Aurora, it was finally ready. MP Lois Brown came for the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and to say a few words on behalf of the federal government for their generous contribution towards the Aurora Historical Society and all of their Pan Am Activities. 40 members of the tennis community who have supported the AHS in this project were on hand and dressed appropriately to recreate a 1913 photograph of the Aurora Tennis Club in the very same place on the Hillary House North Lawn. (see original and recreation below).

Five Canadian Tennis Hall of Famers, who are current residents of the Aurora area were also there for the celebration – Bob Bedard, Lawrie Strong, Bren Macken, Ken Sinclair (pictured here) and Harry Fauquier.  Bob Bedard, who won a silver medal in men's singles in the 1959 Pan Am games, participated in an inaugural tennis exhibition match on the court.

The grant from the Federal Government,  in the Year of Sport and associated with the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games,has helped  the Aurora Historical Society develop a special exhibit entitled Tennis In Canada: From Early Beginnings to Global Success. This exhibit includes equipment used by the Hillary family that was found in the house. The Aurora Community Tennis Club was started at the Hillary House courts. The Hillary House museum and the special exhibit are open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

There will be special Pan Am and Parapan Am Games celebrations, including exhibition matches and themed refreshments on July 18, 19 and 25 and on August 8^th.  For more information please go to www.aurorahs.com .