Four indoor padel courts are to open at a sports centre, Brighton and Hove City Council said tis afternoon (Friday 27 June).
The council said: “Four new indoor padel courts will be installed at Withdean Sports Complex this autumn as the council continues to keep pace with the unprecedented demand for the world’s fastest-growing sport.
“Hot on the heels of the new padel facility opening at Hove Beach Park, Brighton and Hove City Council and its leisure operator, Freedom Leisure, have decided to create the city’s first indoor courts.
“Work will begin in August and the courts are expected to be ready to use in September. There will also be an indoor pickleball court.
“Demand for padel locally is booming and even with investment in new facilities, such as those in Hove Beach Park, players often struggle to find court space.
“The council is keen to encourage more residents to be active on a regular basis and the hope is that by adding more padel courts, even more people will be able to enjoy the physical and mental wellbeing benefits of playing regular sport.
“Game4Padel, which operates padel courts locally, is funding the changes at Withdean, meaning the new courts will be provided at no cost to the council.
“The new courts will be housed in what is currently the indoor sports hall, replacing two tennis courts.
“This decision has been made by Freedom Leisure in partnership with the council following a detailed review of participation levels, usage data and recent engagement with the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) on a padel strategy for the city.
“An extra outside tennis court is currently being added to the three already outside, each of which has good drainage, windbreaks and floodlights. The venue’s adult and junior tennis coaching sessions will continue to be provided.
“There are more than 50 tennis courts on council-owned sites in the city.”
Labour councillor Alan Robins, the council’s cabinet member for sports, recreation and libraries, said: “This is fantastic news for local padel players and anyone who would like to try the sport but has struggled to access a court.
“Padel is an incredibly inclusive sport and is proving very successful at helping people get active and stay healthy. It is also a great way to socialise.
“Simply, the more courts we have, the more we’re able to meet the huge demand we are seeing for court time.
“We know there will be people who are disappointed we are having to reduce the number of tennis courts at Withdean but, unfortunately, the indoor courts there are only in use for around a third of the time they’re available.
“And with such high demand for padel courts, we have to take fair and rational decisions on the best use of our facilities.
“We’re continuing to invest in our leisure facilities and we’re determined to improve the accessibility, availability and variety of sports on offer. These new padel courts will help us do just that.”
