Olympic Tennis Courts Saved from Padel Conversion

Plans Shelved Amid Public Outcry and Campaigner Efforts

Plans to transform Olympic legacy tennis courts into a new racket sport venue have been halted after significant public opposition. The Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA) has backtracked on its proposal to replace tennis facilities with padel courts.

Authority U-Turn on Padel Proposal

The LVRPA announced it would pause its initiative to convert four indoor tennis courts at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in north-east London. This decision came after a meeting of its executive committee on Monday. The authority admitted it “should have engaged with key groups before considering the padel proposal.”

A vocal campaign against the conversion, led by individuals like **Sinjon Vedi**, saw a petition garner over 2,000 signatures. While welcoming the pause, **Vedi** noted that the idea has not been entirely abandoned.

Review of Site’s Future Underway

A spokesperson for the LVRPA stated that the committee agreed to “step back and carry out a more detailed assessment of options for padel and tennis as part of a wider review of future investment on the site.” This assessment will focus on regional appeal and commercial viability, involving consultation with venue users and other stakeholders.

“Tennis and padel will be fully considered as part of the review,” the spokesperson added. The LVRPA acknowledged the growing popularity of padel and its health and wellbeing benefits, aligning with its remit.

Demand for Padel Growing

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), which governs both sports in the UK, reports that padel boasts 400,000 players nationwide, with approximately 900 courts available across 300 venues. Despite this, demand often outstrips supply. The LTA had previously expressed opposition to repurposing the Olympic legacy courts, citing investment in the venue’s heritage.

The LTA has stated that padel is “the fastest-growing racket sport in Great Britain,” with participation expected to reach 1 million by 2027 (LTA, May 2023).

Campaigners expressed understanding that the recent meeting was unlikely to completely remove the repurposing plan from consideration. They remain committed to safeguarding the venue’s legacy for current and future tennis players, with the hope that padel players can also be accommodated.