If you’re looking to play tennis, or perhaps try paddle tennis, the Norwich Racquet Club might be the place for you. The private club is located behind Fogg’s Lumber & Hardware in Norwich.
Paddle tennis, for the uninitiated, features a smaller court and different racquets and balls than regular tennis or pickleball, and is played mainly in doubles.
“It’s mostly a sport that’s played in the wintertime,” said David Barlow, the club’s vice president. “It’s a rubberized ball, so it’s much heavier, and the paddles are a little heavier than pickleball.”
Paddle tennis was the original motivation for the club, which is celebrating its 50th year of operation. It was conceived by Bruce Colley in 1973, when he was CFO of Quechee Lakes Corp.
Colley envisioned placing paddle tennis courts — then the club’s sole focus — on otherwise unusable land near hotels or in shopping centers in higher-income areas in cold climates where the sport was already popular, according to a written history he authored in 2022. The concept appealed in part because of the courts’ small footprint and relatively low maintenance requirements.
The idea ultimately came to fruition on a parcel of land in Norwich, won approval from the town’s Planning Board, and the club has been operating the past five decades.
Today, the club has two clay tennis courts and two paddle tennis courts. The paddle courts are heated and lit, allowing year-round play.
The facility holds particular appeal in the Upper Valley, where the climate limits outdoor options.
“It’s hard up in this area to have winter things that you can do,” Barlow said. “Most people ski … But paddle you can play all winter.”
Last week, some Hanover High School students got a taste of paddle tennis as part of the school’s March Intensive program, which has offered weeklong alternative courses each March since 2008.
Junior Bryce Morancy said he wanted to try something new, though the ball’s bounce took some getting used to.
“I had never heard of it really — I was like, ‘Oh, that sounds fun,'” he said. “I thought it would just be a great way to stay active and a good opportunity outside of schoolwork to have fun.”
Sophomore Declan Donegan agreed. “I thought if I could get a couple of friends, it would be fun,” he said.
Attracting younger players is a priority as the club marks its 50th anniversary. The club currently has around 120 members and is expanding its programming to draw new ones.
On April 3, the club will host an open paddle tennis event for those 40 and younger.
“There seems to be a need in the Upper Valley for community activities for younger people, and the club seems to be a nice, comfortable, easy way for people to come outside and get exercise,” said Glenn Cooper, a board member who oversees membership.
This summer, the club plans to open its tennis courts for lessons available to members and non-members. It is also partnering with the Hanover and Norwich recreation departments on joint programming and teaming with local tennis pros to offer instruction in both tennis and paddle tennis.
“At the end of the day, collaboration amongst various athletic organizations and rec departments is a really positive thing,” Cooper said. “It’s a way to generate interest and activity and gets people outside.”
Through April, the club is waiving its $200 new-member assessment fee. That means individuals can join for $360 and families for $590. Memberships include unlimited play, clinics, socials, tournaments and more.
For more information, visit norwichracquetclub.com.