Leisure bosses have announced new padel courts which are due to open at a centre in Staffordshire by the end of the year.
Installation of three courts is due to begin at Shobnall Leisure Complex on 19 November, with work expected to be completed within about three weeks.
The £85,000 investment is being jointly funded by East Staffordshire Borough Council and centre operator Everyone Active.
The new padel courts will replace three of the centre’s six concrete tennis courts.
Alongside the recent addition of two grass tennis courts, the facility will soon provide multiple forms of racquet sport on a variety of surfaces.
What is padel?
Padel, said to be the world’s fastest-growing sport, is mainly played in a doubles format and combines elements of tennis and squash.
It is a racquet game originating in Mexico which has been booming in the UK in recent years – with more than 400,000 people playing last year, up from just 15,000 in 2019.
The number of courts in the UK has surged from 87 in 2020 to more than 1,000 nationwide.
Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis but is played with different racquets and lower-pressure balls.
‘Fun, social and easy to learn’
“We’re incredibly excited to add further variety to the fantastic facilities at Shobnall Leisure Complex, by providing space for the local community to play padel,” said Dan Mclean, Everyone Active’s area contract manager.
“This fun, social and easy-to-learn sport offers the chance for people of all ages and abilities to get active, improving their physical health and mental well-being.
“We would urge anyone new to padel to give it a go and we are confident they will quickly be hooked on this fast-growing sport.”
Cllr Paul Walker, cabinet member for tourism and cultural development, added: “The three new padel courts will be an exciting addition to the fantastic facilities at Shobnall Leisure Complex, offering an opportunity to take part in one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK.
“It’s great to see our facilities constantly adapting to community demand and benefitting people of all ages and abilities.”
