Club History 1950 till 2020

1950 
Lighting installed on centre court (court 2).


1951
In early 1951 plans commenced for the lighting of the second court. 


1954
Dogs banned from the Club Grounds. In 1954 the committee sent a letter to the Dunlop Company complaining about the quality of a number of balls purchased by the club. It was pointed out that even by the end of two ladies' sets the "balls had deteriorated alarmingly". The Dunlop company had no qualms about replacing the balls.


1955
It was suggested a new clubhouse be built. Construction was performed by the Department of Works and the present clubhouse was completed in 1957. It was opened on the 14th September by the Club's Patron, Mr Guy Thomas. A fence was erected around the building and footpaths laid.


1956
Electrical lighting installed on court 1. This made Ainslie one of only three clubs in the district to have two courts with lights - (the other clubs were Turner and Flinders).


1957
The club's 1957 committee sent a letter of complaint  to the Department of Works which took offence to the setting up of a commercial carnival and skating rink in Corroborree Park. The most outstanding achievement in club championships probably belongs to Mr Wally Morphett, who in 1957 won the ALTC Cup for the tenth successive year. 


14 September 1957 
Present clubhouse opened. Built by the Department of Works, the building was completed with the installation of fixed seating, tables, chairs and venetian blinds. Little structural development has occurred since the opening of the clubhouse.


1958
In 1958 the lead lines laid in 1929 were replaced by plastic lines. 


1960s
Due to lack of members and financial difficulties in the late 1960's it was suggested Ainslie merge with Dickson Tennis Club. A special general meeting passed a motion approving the merger, but nothing eventuated.


1968
A drinks machine was installed in the clubhouse but was removed due to lack of custom ten years later.


1971
Competition for the club championships ceased in 1971.


1972
Ainslie won its first Junior Pennant in the B1 Girls Event of 1972. The club was particularly strong in junior competition during the 1970's. Much of this strength can be attributed to voluntary coaching by senior members of the club - especially Mr Harry Gibbs.


1988

Membership difficulties resulted in Ainslie joining the Northside Tennis Group (comprising Ainslie, Braddon, Majura, Turner and O'Connor Clubs) in 1981. This group was formed to bring the small Northside clubs closer socially and allow for the exchange of players if difficulties were encountered in fielding pennant teams.


1985
In 1985 the club was incorporated principally to avoid liability being placed on individual committee members in the event of legal action against the club. Regular club newsletters were sent to members for the first time in 1968.


1988 
The Diamond Jubilee Year of 1988 found the club with a proud record of sixty years continuous service (and the occasional return of service) to the sport of tennis in Inner North Canberra.


1992
The trophy cabinet (acquired and refurbished in 1992) provides a showcase for several trophies won over the years by Ainslie teams and players. It also recognises the contribution of Pat Deasey, a long time Club member and past President who died suddenly in 1990. Unfortunately the Clubhouse was burgled and the trophies stolen. However, that saga has a happy ending: the trophies were relocated by the police (as far afield as Tumut) and have been returned to the cabinet. 


1995
A  new logo was designed that had a tree in the centre. The tree was the one that overshadowed the clubhouse and was one of the most established trees in the area. The club is situated in Corroboree Park which was always deemed to be a park due to its significant stand of trees and its relationship to the local Aborigines. 


1996
The Club's 70th anniversary saw the Club in a strong position. The Club won the ACT Tennis Association's Club of the Year for 1996. The Club's historical significance has seen it entered in the Register of the National Estate. Club members are also active in non-playing activities with Neil Hendy being awarded "1996 Umpire of the Year".


1997
In 1997, Libby Bailey persuaded Lipton's Tea to sponsor the Club to the tune of $360. 1998
As part of bicentennial grant, courts 1 and 2 regravelled.


2000-2003
Gravel courts replaced with artificial grass.


2009
Heritage mercury lights on court 2 replaced with halogen lights.  Court 3 went from being unlit to also being lit with halogen lights. The Canberra Tennis Academy operated by Andrew Bulley commenced renting court time at Ainslie to offer adult and junior coaching services in addition to the services it offered at the O'Connor Courts.


2018
ACT Heritage Unit placed a heritage sign beside the front gate to celebrate 90th birthday of the Club. 
This ranks the club as the second oldest active tennis club in Canberra.


2020
Active Tennis Coaching operated by Andrew Myles replaced the Canberra Tennis Academy and commenced a four year agreement to provide full coaching services for adults and juniors at the courts, including scheduled coaching sessions and ad hoc individual coaching sessions.


The Clubhouse was rebuilt following discovery of extensive termite damage in 2018.  Opportunity taken to relocate the kitchen area, to consolidate male and female toilets with a single toilet and bathroom, remove the clubhouse storeroom with a storage shed and to cover the clubhouse floor with linoleum.  In addition, clubhouse lighting replaced with LED lighting inside and outside and a spotlight installed to improve nighttime access from the gate to the clubhouse.