London 2012 tennis courts to make way for padel

London 2012 tennis courts to make way for padel

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BBC Tennis players are upset their courts will be replaced by padel facilities

Tennis courts built for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are to be replaced with padel courts in a move that has infuriated tennis players. The plan is to turn four indoor tennis courts at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in north-east London into nine courts for the emerging racquet sport - which is a blend of tennis and squash. Shawn Dawson, boss of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, where Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre is, insisted the changes were essential. A petition against the plan has attracted more than 1,500 signatures.

Mr Dawson said: "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."

Shawn Dawson, boss of Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, insisted the changes were needed

But the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) called the plans "particularly disappointing". It said: "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."

Tennis player Kimberly Schreiber said it was "disappointing" there had been no consultation

Tennis player Kimberly Schreiber called the scheme an "insult". She said: "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."

Wheelchair user Ivan Vershigora said wheelchair tennis was his highlight of the week

Omosuyi Fred-Omojole said: "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." Wheelchair user Ivan Vershigora said wheelchair tennis was his highlight of the week. "I feel very sad about them converting the indoor courts to padel because the tennis is like a very fun sport to do, especially if you are in a wheelchair."

The courts helped Isaac, aged eight, reach national championship standard

Playing outdoors in winter would be difficult because of poor weather, said Mr Vershigora. He would though, he added, try padel. The courts helped eight-year-old Isaac reach national championship standard. He said: "The indoor courts are really important because you can't really practise in the winter because it is very rainy and cold."

Omosuyi Fred-Omojole says facilitating the increasing popularity of padel should not be done at the expense of the "thriving tennis community"

The venue has six outdoor tennis courts in addition to the four indoor courts, which will not be affected by the changes. Mr Dawson said by converting the indoor courts into padel ones, it will mean the centre, which also has two hockey pitches, will be more beneficial to more people. "We'll have three sports rather than two, which means more people can get fit, can get well, can meet in a social setting," he said.

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