Downbeach Towns’ New Pickleball Contender: The rapid rise of pickleball has caught the attention of many, including borough officials who are now facing a new challenge: a request to introduce padel, a sport that’s been quietly gaining ground across the globe. On July 17, during a Board of Commissioners meeting, a resident proposed converting one of the borough’s tennis courts at the 33rd Avenue recreation center into two padel courts. This request has sparked a debate that pits the surging popularity of pickleball against the potential of padel.
What is Padel?
Padel, a hybrid sport originating from Acapulco, Mexico, blends elements of tennis and squash. It’s played on a court that is roughly one-third the size of a traditional tennis court and is enclosed by solid walls and fencing. The game features doubles play and uses a softer ball and a composite paddle. The ball must bounce off the floor and walls before being returned over the net, and scoring is similar to tennis. According to PadelJoy, the sport boasts over 20,000 courts and 4 million players worldwide, making it a formidable rival to pickleball.
The Current Pickleball Demand
The borough’s recreation supervisor, Mary Pat McKenna, shared that pickleball has been so popular that the existing courts are fully booked until mid-afternoon on weekdays and all day on weekends. The borough has already repurposed one tennis court into pickleball courts, showing the high demand for this sport. If the proposal to convert another tennis court to pickleball was approved, it could potentially create up to four additional pickleball courts, a move that would undoubtedly please the growing number of pickleball enthusiasts.
The board’s challenge lies in balancing these competing interests. Converting a tennis court into 2 padel courts would cost approximately $100,000, a significant investment for any municipality. Borough Engineer Ed Dennis Jr. has suggested that due to the coastal environment and wind conditions, the padel courts should feature solid timber walls rather than glass. This raises questions about whether the borough can justify such an expenditure when there is a clear demand for additional pickleball facilities.
Managing Competing Interests
One of the key considerations is the potential overlap between the existing tennis and pickleball communities. McKenna mentioned that while pickleball players are eager for more courts, tennis enthusiasts are less enthusiastic about sharing space with a third racquet sport. This dynamic highlights a broader issue: the need to carefully manage the limited court space to satisfy all users.
“A lot of people ask me if we are going to make more (pickleball) courts. The tennis people are not thrilled to share the space.” – (McKenna)
The borough is considering conducting a survey to gauge resident interest in Padel and assess whether the proposed Padel courts would be a worthwhile investment. Mayor Nicholas Russo noted that the aesthetics of the courts, given the borough’s beachfront location, would also need to be considered.
“One reason to hear from them is to determine if a court with walls is appropriate for our beachfront community. We have to think about aesthetics too.” – (Nicholas Russo)
In the United States, the number of padel courts has been increasing, with 30 currently in operation and a third of those built-in 2023. States like New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida have embraced this new sport, and it could very well become a significant player in the racquet sports, much like pickleball did a few years ago.
As the borough deliberates, the central question remains: should the focus be on expanding the existing pickleball facilities, which already see heavy usage, or should it be on introducing a new sport that, while growing rapidly, still has a relatively small presence in the U.S.? The board’s decision will ultimately reflect the community’s needs and preferences, a balancing act that will shape the future of racquet sports in the borough.
News in Brief: Downbeach Towns’ New Pickleball Contender
On July 17, a proposal to convert a tennis court at the 33rd Avenue recreation center into two padel courts sparked debate among borough officials. Padel, a hybrid of tennis and squash with over 20,000 courts worldwide, contrasts with the booming popularity of pickleball. Pickleball courts are fully booked, prompting demand for more facilities.
Converting a tennis court to 2 padel courts would cost about $100,000 and feature solid timber walls due to local conditions. The borough must balance pickleball’s current popularity with Padel’s growing interest. A survey may be conducted to gauge community interest and assess if Padel could complement or compete with existing sports facilities. The decision will shape the future of racquet sports in the borough.
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