Two-Time Le Mans Champion helps drives sport in the region
City Padel is marking a major milestone for one of the fastest growing sports in Plymouth. For the uninitiated, and in simplistic terms, think of a combination of squash with tennis and you’ve now pictured what the activity looks like.
Well, aficionados of the game are celebrating the news that planning approval is being granted to deliver Plymouth’s first-ever indoor padel facility.
The new venue will be located at Kestrel Park, Plymouth, and represents one of City Padel’s most ambitious projects to date.
The development is being led by a founding team that includes two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner – and internationally renowned racing driver Harry Tincknell.
Harry’s career at the highest level of motorsport helped shape City Padel’s high-performance, professional approach to sport and community facilities.
His involvement brings a rare blend of elite sporting pedigree and commercial ambition to the project.
Image: City Padel
‘Plymouth has a real appetite for high-quality sports facilities, and padel feels like a natural fit for the city,’ says Harry Tincknell, City Padel Director.
‘This site allows us to deliver something on a different scale, including a large number of courts and a gym, and exhibition space, all of which have been designed to bring people together.’
‘We’re not just opening courts; we’re creating a new sporting destination for Plymouth, a place that everyone can enjoy.’
‘Designed to bring people together’
The purpose-built centre will feature nine indoor padel courts alongside one outdoor court, offering both singles and doubles play in a year-round environment.
Designed to be a destination for players, spectators and the wider community alike, the site will also include a state-of-the-art gym, modern changing rooms. There will also be a café and bar for socialising before and after matches.
Image: City Padel
Managers explain that a standout feature of the development will be a dedicated exhibition court with a seating area which’ll allow City Padel to host tournaments, leagues and showcase events.
They add the area is designed to create a vibrant atmosphere for spectators and newcomers to the sport.
Following the success of its established club in Exeter, City Padel’s expansion into Plymouth reflects the surging demand for padel across the region.
As the first indoor padel facility in the city, the Plymouth club is poised to play a pivotal role in introducing the sport to new audiences while supporting the growth of an active, inclusive padel community.
Supporters see the development as adding a new dimension to Plymouth’s sporting and leisure landscape which’ll complement the city’s strong culture of participation in racket sports and active lifestyles.
Image: City Padel
‘Padel feels like a natural fit for the city’
It’s envisaged the site will be up and running by summer with a mix of indoor and outdoor courts, training facilities and social spaces.
The team aims to offer a full programme of coaching, social sessions and competitive play for all abilities: from complete beginners to experienced players.
They also expect to be able to offer opportunities to train, relax and connect with the wider padel community.
Image: City Padel
