Expansion needed to keep up with demand
GUERNSEY Padel Club is set to become the sport’s joint-largest facility in the British Isles – potentially by September.
The fast-growing alternative to tennis has become a victim of its own success locally, with the three existing courts unable to keep pace with booming membership numbers at Longcamps.
But the addition of two new courts is set to remedy this.
Club director Gary Naftel is ‘very happy’ with the planned expansion, which he hopes will be completed by autumn and which would close the gap on Stratford Padel Club, currently the UK’s only five-court facility.
‘Our membership has grown substantially and our pay-and-play membership is equal to our actual membership numbers, so we’re frequently getting comments about players being unable to book courts,’ he said.
‘Courts during the week, evenings and all weekends are all fully booked.
‘It’s absolutely essential that we grow and create two new padel courts to meet our membership demands.’
They are planning to keep the two indoor courts and extend the canopy over the existing outdoor court, but the new courts will allow members to play in the sunshine.
Guernsey is already on the international padel radar, having hosted British Tour events prior to Covid, and could become an even more attractive destination after the developments.
This comes as Jersey eyes a similar expansion from two courts to five at St Clement’s.
‘Them having five courts, us having five courts, the Channel Islands is the place to come,’ Naftel added.
The second Rocq Capital Island Championships take place on 29-30 May.
