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A town’s first outdoor padel courts will be built on a dilapidated site at a popular club amid increased demand for the sport.
Bosses at Sandyacres Sports and Social Club in Kennington, Ashford, applied for permission to build two courts next to their function hall off Sandyhurst Lane in April.
The plans have now been approved by members of Ashford Borough Council (ABC), with work set to start on the project this summer.
Sandyacres chairman Winston Michael, who also sits on ABC for Ashford Independents, says padel is “what people want”.
“I’m pleased the application went through and I’ve now got builders coming for a site visit in July,” he said.
“Sandyacres has always been listed by ABC as one if its important sports hubs, but a lot of investment has gone towards places in South Ashford.
“So it’s pleasing to get something in this area and it will make a great contribution to the health and wellbeing of local residents.
“I’m looking to get the groundworks started this summer, so when the equipment comes in as well, which takes six to eight weeks to arrive, we can hit the ground running.
“I’ve spoken to people nearby and padel tennis is what people want, so they’re excited about this as it serves a wide range of people.”
Padel – a hybrid of tennis and squash invented in Mexico – is continuing to grow in popularity across Kent, with a number of new facilities opening in recent years including the indoor padel centre Square One in Ashford, which opened in 2024.
The company was founded by Harbledown-based racing driver Sam De Haan – son of former Saga owner Sir Roger.
At Sandyacres, the two new flood-lit courts will be created on land previously used as tennis courts.
Cllr Michael, who has been chairman of the club since 2012, says in time, covers could be added once funding is achieved.
“I’m hoping there will be people playing this year on out,” he added.
“In terms of being covered, it all depends on how easy it will be to raise £60,000 for that to happen.
“To be realistic, I think the earliest that will happen will be summer next year.”
Players will access the courts via electronic gates linked to a booking system, and will receive a passcode when they confirm a session.
The proposed hours of operation will be from 7.30am until 10pm.
Cllr Linda Harman (Ash Inds, Saxon Shore) was among those to approve the plans.
She said: “It’s an exciting addition for Sandaycres. The hours of operation are acceptable, so limiting sunrise and sunset is impractical especially in winter when use of it would be pretty much nil.
“The facility needs to be used.”
