"Around 1948 it was realised by some of the residents of Mission Bay that facilities for recreation in the district for young people were very limited. Having been a keen tennis enthusiast for many years Mr. T.C. McNeill took it upon himself to see if a tennis club could be formed. As the Auckland City Council owned land in Mission Bay Mr McNeill approached the Mayor to see if the Council would assist.

Two areas of land were available, one where the tennis club is now situated and the other where the Mission Bay Mens Bowling club is sited. The tennis club got the better position, the land being a little higher and not so prone to flooding. Negotiations took 12 months or more and finally the Council decided to make and lay six hard courts and to fence them.

The cost of all this work was thought to be around eleven thousand pounds. The tennis club had to mark out the courts, provide the nets and its own pavilion. Mr McNeill bought a 16 foot by 8 foot army hut from the local boy scouts and loaned this to the tennis club for use as a pavilion, changing room etc. until something better could be obtained.

The big opening day arrived and the Mayor Sir John Allum and his wife, together with Mr. W.S. Spence SM, were invited to officially open the Mission Bay Tennis Club for play. Mrs. McNeill hit the first ball over the net".