A new padel club is to be established in Prestwich, marking a significant development for this growing sport.
- Pure Padel Clubs Ltd will build the club on land known as Brooklands playing fields.
- The club will feature seven courts and additional sports facilities, open to the community.
- This development highlights the increasing popularity of padel, particularly in Great Britain.
- Bury Council has granted approval for the construction, despite initial concerns about land usage.
A new padel club will soon be constructed in Prestwich as the sport’s popularity continues to rise across Europe. The facility, to be developed by Pure Padel Clubs Ltd, will be located on the site formerly known as Brooklands playing fields at the Manchester Maccabi Community and Sports Club. This strategic location on Bury Old Road is expected to attract numerous sports enthusiasts from the surrounding area, offering them modern amenities and access to the sport.
The proposed club will comprise seven courts that include four covered padel courts, an open-air padel court, and two pickleball courts. Additionally, there will be a clubhouse and updated parking facilities for both cars and bicycles. The club’s operational model is based on a pay-and-play basis, ensuring accessibility to the broader community. Notably, the club will operate independently from the Maccabi Community and Sports Club, with staffing provided by Pure Padel.
The expansion of padel in Great Britain has been notable, with interim head of region for the Lawn Tennis Association, Sam Foakes, acknowledging its rapid growth. Current statistics indicate there are about 350 courts in existence, with an additional 300 in the planning or construction stages. Foakes highlighted that more than 90,000 individuals are currently engaged in playing padel across Great Britain. He emphasized the need for robust infrastructure development to meet the increasing participation demands, thus supporting the club’s establishment.
Acknowledging some opposition to the development due to the resultant loss of playing fields, the application stressed that the benefits of new sports and recreational facilities could only be realised through partial redevelopment of the site. The plans align with policy exceptions that allow for the retention and enhancement of sports facilities via strategic redevelopment. In its approval, Bury Council recognised the proposal’s potential to address a significant unmet demand for padel facilities.
Ensuring a seamless experience, the club will operate daily from 9 am to 10 pm, with each court fitted with six high masts that provide lighting directed at the playing surface. The lighting strategy is carefully designed to maintain comfort for nearby residents while ensuring optimal conditions for sports activities.
The establishment of this new padel club in Prestwich will cater to the growing demand for the sport, contributing positively to regional sports infrastructure.
