Guildwood Tennis Club would like to recognize Bill and Louise Schachow for their roles as Builders of the Guildwood Tennis Club (originally named Kiwaniwood Tennis Club). Bill Schachow volunteered to be the main spokesperson for the Guildwood Community Association in the late 60`s, together with John McMillan of the South Kiwanis Club. They, as part of a group of volunteers representing the residents of Guildwood and Markham Bluffs, worked hard to persuade the City of Scarborough to build a recreational facility in the Guildwood Community.

Bill became the frontman by galvanizing public support for some kind of recreational project, emphasizing especially the need for local children and teenagers to have a sports facility. The original proposal called for tennis courts, a clubhouse, a swimming pool, and a skating rink. Bill wrote regular articles for the Guildwood News and Views, persuading many people to volunteer their services by canvassing every home in the neighborhood to raise money to demonstrate local residents` desire and commitment to the cause. The residents raised $8000. The City of Scarborough matched that amount, with the rest of the funds coming from a Wintario grant and $3000 donated by the South Kiwanis Club.

Bill dealt directly with Scarborough Parks and Recreation, as well as the contractor who was hired to build Phase 1 of the project:

- three tennis courts;

- the lights;

- surrounding fences.

The Kiwaniwood Courts were officially opened on July 27, 1970. Bill Schachow was the first President, and Louise was the first Treasurer. Louise Schachow also organized Ladies` Team tennis two mornings a week. The Kiwaniwood Tennis Club had 600 paid members that first year, with a waiting list to join. Bill and Louise and the rest of the Executive designed a thriving tennis program with offerings for men, ladies, juniors, as well as a competitive ladder competition. A fourth court was added a few years later to replace the horseshoe pit. The City eventually decided that the park at Elizabeth Simcoe School was too small to accommodate a pool, and so the pool was added instead to Wilfred Laurier Highschool in 1972.

Bill and Louise continued to serve on the Kiwaniwood Tennis Executive for the next 32 years, serving on the Executive in various positions from President to Secretary to Treasurer to Leagues and Tournament. Their dedication, energy, and leadership contributed greatly to the success of the Club over the years. Bill was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 1998 by the Scarborough Tennis Federation. Bill and Louise moved to Pickering in 2002. Kiwaniwood was renamed Guildwood Tennis Club in 2008 to create greater awareness in the community.

We salute the vital role that Bill and Louise played in the development of the Guildwood Tennis Club, and are proud to induct them into our Hall of Fame.