Want to have the core strength of Roger Federer or the legs of Venus Williams? Well, why not play their game. This winter, give Orangeville’s new Headwaters Racquet Club a try. You will love its fitness facilities, four international squash courts, restaurant and bar, as well as what’s said to be Canada’s best indoor tennis facility.

In the world of tennis, Harry Fauquier has pretty much done it all. He competed at Wimbledon, the French, US and Canadian opens. He was a long-time member of our Davis Cup team and for the past 35 years, Mr. Fauquier figures he’s built at least 3,500 tennis courts. So when this ambassador to the sport says that there is no indoor tennis facility in the entire country that is better than Headwaters Racquet Club, you have to be impressed.

Of course, Mr. Fauquier did build the four indoor courts, so there may be some bias. But it’s not only his company’s handiwork that makes the facility special. The five coats of vulcanized slurry covered by four layers of coloured acrylic means the surface is much like that used for the US and Canadian open tournaments. There is also lots of room.

“The Greenwoods added extra space at the end of the courts and between them,” says Mr. Fauquier. The ceiling is really lofty and there is more lighting than you would normally find on indoor courts. “They’ve paid attention to a lot of details,” he adds.

As wonderful as th facility may be, it takes more than great courts to attract players. That’s where Brian Millar comes in. The long-time pro at a club in Burlington, Brian has set up round-robin play, clinics, lessons and other programs for people of all ages. “What I like the most,”he says, “is seeing all age groups playing the game – from 5 to 95.”

Susan Casson is teaching the juniors “progressive tennis.” By giving kids smaller racquets, using lower nets and slower balls, they learn quickly. As these youngsters improve, they can move into an intermediate program or, if interested, join the high-performance players who want to compete in tournaments and otherwise try their hand at becoming Canada’s next Daniel Nestor.

The rubberized courts, which are a dream for anyone with aging knees and hips, aren’t the only thing that will attract adults. They can choose from a variety of organized play, which will make it easy to get out on the courts at least a couple of times a week. Mr. Millar is particularly excited to introduce players to Tennis Fitness. “It’s an hour-long program that puts players through their paces and helps them with their strokes,” he says. And not to be missed is the Friday evening Happy Hour Mixed Doubles play.

The 6,000-square-foot Headwaters Racquet Club officially opened in June. In addition to four indoor tennis courts, four outdoor courts will be ready come spring. There are also four international squash courts – a first for the Headwaters area – two workout rooms, a full contingent of the latest fitness equipment, fitness and yoga classes, as well as great change rooms with towel service, lockers, steam rooms and saunas.

There’s a pro shop and last, but certainly not least, members and their guests can head upstairs after their play to enjoy drinks and a meal in Greystones West, a splashy bar and restaurant that overlooks the tennis courts.

JoAnn Pilkey, the club’s manager, says, “Our facility offers people living in and around Orangeville a great opportunity to enjoy their favorite activities in a state-of-the-art facility with a family atmosphere.”

Given the quality of the facility and his great experience working with the Greenwoods, Mr. Fauquier says that the local community is very lucky to have access to the Headwaters Racquet Club. He predicts that once someone joins, they will be unlikely to give up their membership, ever!

For more information on the club, tennis, squash or fitness facilities, call 519-942-2255, or email info@headwatersracquetclub. com or visit www.headwatersracquetclub. com.