In the spring of 1966, the dream of a first-class, year-round racquet center in the Cleveland area was first proposed at a Midday Club luncheon by Willis M. McFarlane to a group of his close friends. The continuance of further Davis Cup play in Cleveland was also a factor in the new building decision with the inclusion of a world class exhibition court to be constructed on Club property, replacing the Clark Court exhibition stadium, then located at Roxboro School in Cleveland Heights. An enthusiastic Board of Trustees was formed, 17 in number, and they donated their time, money and expertise to do the initial planning of the project. The trustees, with Will McFarlane as President, spent the next several years with architects, city planners, zoning commissions, etc. Ten acres of land in the vicinity of Cedar Road and I-271, east of Brainard, were first optioned for the site which was put aside with the finding of an attractive 26 acre plot located in Pepper Pike at 29825 Chagrin Boulevard.
The purpose established for The Cleveland Racquet Club was to promote a greater interest in racquet sports, to create new associations, to promote family enjoyment and promote the development of better racquet skills and competitive play. It was also the goal of the trustees to offer the best facilities to the membership, and the best program of all in each activity.
Although the original Club plans included a sunken exhibition court with permanent seating for 5,500 to be built on the premises, the project was dropped after it was fully explored and evaluated, including financial cost and benefits.
The ground-breaking ceremony for The Cleveland Racquet Club took place on Friday, May 16, 1969. Invitations to the ground-breaking ceremony were sent to 21 investing founders and to 272 optimistic members who had paid an initiation fee of $500 each without seeing a building.
In April 1970, The Cleveland Racquet Club finally opened its doors to its 353 members. Four squash courts and five indoor tennis courts were ready for play. The first President was Willis M. McFarlane; the Vice President, George B. Chapman, Jr.; the Treasurer, Oliver F. Emerson; the Secretary, Alexander McAfee; and the Assistant Secretary and counsel, Albert P. Pickus. The first Board of Trustees included: Robert H. Bartholomew, John J. Bernet, Robert R. Broadbent, Fred C. Chandler, George P. Chapman, Jr., William C. Cody, Oliver F. Emerson, Paul Jones, Jr., Ralph T. King, Dr. Fay A. LeFevre, Alexander McAfee, Willis M. McFarlane, Edwin R. Motch, III, D. Edward Oberndorf, Albert P. Pickus, Willis K. Polite, Charles L. Smythe, Jr., Herbert E. Strawbridge, and T. James Wiedemann. The monthly dues of $50 began at this time. The locker rooms opened in May and the twelve outdoor courts and indoor swimming pool opened later in the summer. The paddle tennis courts, located in front and east of the main building were moved to the west side to a more desirable location in the fall.
By October of 1970 the number of indoor courts was already being pronounced inadequate by the members. The Trustees decided that adding five additional indoor courts was a priority to be studied during the first winter of play. It was also decided to increase the membership to 400 and to increase the monthly dues to $60 a month. At the same time, the initiation fee went up to $2000.
April 1972 saw the opening of five additional indoor courts to the delight of the membership. At the CRC Annual Meeting held on January 16, 1973, President Will McFarlane handed the gavel to incoming President, John Bernet. Will was then presented with a plaque and a bust with the inscription "Willis M. McFarlane, Founder and First President of the Cleveland Racquet Club, January 1969 - January 1973."
As of the writing, the Club has added an outdoor swimming pool, expanded living room and dining room facilities, a fitness center, and two hard surface outdoor tennis courts as well as three international class squash courts. In May of 2000 a 30th Anniversary Party of the founding of CRC was a great success.