The decision to replace four indoor tennis courts at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre with nine padel courts has sparked outrage among tennis players and advocacy groups. Shawn Dawson of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority emphasized that the change addresses recreational trends. A petition against the plan has garnered over 1,500 signatures. The LTA expressed disappointment, noting their significant investment in the tennis facility which serves over 100,000 players annually. Critics argue the decision lacks public consultation and undermines a thriving tennis community, particularly highlighting the importance of the facility for wheelchair tennis.
We need to make sure these great public assets, these great public Olympic venues are relevant for a wider section of the population. So we are very much responding to trends... here we are 13 years on from the Games and we need to make sure these legacy venues continue to deliver.
The LTA and Tennis Foundation invested half a million pounds in the original tennis facility which is an important legacy from the London 2012 Paralympics. The courts are still heavily used with over 700 children on the programme, 100,000 players accessing the facilities each year, a thriving disability programme and links to local schools.
What is disappointing is that this decision to replace our indoor courts is that it has been done with no public consultation, and it's just really an insult to the vibrant and diverse community that this tennis centre supports.
I understand the perspective of wanting to leverage the growth of padel, it absolutely makes economic sense, but it should not be done at the expense of the existing, thriving, indoor tennis community.
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