John Dallison

In 1975, the Town of Halton Hills asked local resident John Dallison to sit on its Recreation Advisory Committee and study the operations of existing tennis clubs in the area.

From that study, the Halton Hills Tennis Association was formed, four new courts were built beside the Alcott Arena in 1979 and Dallison remains active as a volunteer with the organization over 35 years later.

He also raised funds to build at clubhouse for the Gordon Alcott Tennis Club in 1980 and several new programs for youths and adults sprouted under his direction, including regional tournaments, house leagues, competitive leagues, teaching clinics and his favourite focus, youth development.

The GATC worked closely with local schools and the Town’s Recreation & Parks department, resulting in registration growth rates in the 10-12 per cent range through the 2000s. Dallison was also heavily involved in the project to build a new six-court facility at the Gellert Recreation Centre, set to open next year, to replace the outgoing GATC courts.