A Brief History of Copper Valley Club

Founded in 1955, Copper Valley Club has been a cornerstone of summer life in Cheshire for more than six decades. From the start, the club was created as a place where families could gather, play, and build lasting friendships.

For many years, Copper Valley operated as a full-service summer club with three swimming pools, offering swim and dive lessons, competitive swim and dive teams, and a variety of social programs for children and families. Tennis was equally central to the club’s identity, with legendary tennis professional Jim Matthews teaching generations of families the game and leading teams that competed throughout southern Connecticut. The club’s competitive swim program was coached by the late Jim McKee.

The 1990s marked a high point in the club’s history. In 1991, the sale of club land led to the development of Copper Valley Court and enabled major reinvestment in club facilities. Membership exceeded 250 families, and many spent entire summer days at Copper Valley.

As recreational trends evolved, the club adapted. By 2016, membership declined and significant capital improvements were needed. Additional land was sold, and by 2020, the club had transitioned to a tennis-only facility, with upgraded clubhouse space, a new pavilion, and five red clay and three Har-Tru courts. During the 2010s, Copper Valley hosted numerous tournaments, including the long-running Wint Filipek Memorial Tennis Tournament.

In 2022, Copper Valley entered its next chapter with the addition of four dedicated pickleball courts, expanding the club’s offerings once again.

Today, Copper Valley Club is proud to be central Connecticut’s premier outdoor tennis, pickleball, and social club — a place that continues to honor its past while building the next generation of community and competition.