The Chilliwack Tennis Society exists today because of one person – Gudrun Anderson – and her love of tennis. Her love of tennis began in her native Germany, where she grew up in the Black Forest town of St. Georgen. She moved to Chilliwack in 1989. In 2004 Gudrun met three other players at an “Adult Learn to Play Tennis” program. They took lessons together in 2004 and 2005. The four of them played together most Saturdays for the next year or two until they finally met more tennis players. It was Gudrun who started the dream to form a thriving tennis club in Chilliwack. She made it her mission to build a local community that shared her love of the game. (from Gudrun) “Building our tennis society started with realizing that public courts were sitting mostly empty and were hardly being used as individual players were not connected. There was a need to bring the public together to play with each other. We welcomed every new individual to participate. This was greatly appreciated and led to an immediate growth in numbers. In 2008 Gudrun began organizing drop-in Sessions at the Portage Park & Twin Rinks tennis courts. As players met on a regular basis, the demand rose for lessons, competitive play, fun tournaments and socials. In July 2009, she founded a non-profit society, the Chilliwack Tennis Society, to help provide and organize these things. Gudrun had the vision and determination to build a strong tennis community in Chilliwack. That vision became her mission–one to which she dedicated ENDLESS amounts of time and energy. For many years Gudrun was the driving force behind the CTS. She worked tirelessly to develop and foster the social and competitive parts of the game. She organized leagues and tournaments, fun playing activities, social activities, and eventually fall/winter court rentals and indoor sessions here at The Landing Sports Centre. She also hosted several fabulous summer pot luck parties in her beautiful backyard in an attempt to have more of a social feel to the club. Gudrun had a positive impact on so many people’s lives. Gudrun’s other dream was to have a proper indoor tennis facility in Chilliwack. While that goal has not yet been reached, it is by no means forgotten. 20 years ago Gudrun started with 3 new tennis friends and a dream. From that dream has grown the organization we are now all proudly members of. MANY thanks to Gudrun for everything she’s contributed to the tennis community in Chilliwack over these past 20 years.