Padel Court in Ilmington

Thanks to everyone who responded to the padel survey conducted by Ilmington Tennis Club at the end of last year. 

Following work by a sub-committee giving indications of the potential revenue, estimated build costs, scope envisaged for a planning application and the potential operating model for the completed facility, over the past 12 months the committee of Ilmington Tennis Club have spent several meetings discussing the feasibility of padel at the club. The survey was designed to gauge interest in padel, and other sports at the club and establish the likely level of support to build a padel facility.

We received an excellent response, with 152 responses in total, the majority from club members and users of the courts. A summary of the results is provided below (note not all questions were answered by all respondents):

• 69% (105 respondents) indicated they would be interested in using a Padel Court in Ilmington
• 84% (127 respondents) indicated they would support a planning application for the installation of a padel court at Ilmington Tennis club.
• 89% (55 respondents) indicated they would be willing to support this project in some way (eg volunteering to help run the facility, fundraising, donation of materials or funds, helping with planning application).
• 46% (47 respondents) indicated they would like to see Pickleball offered at the club, with 17 respondents requesting netball, 8 basketball and 24 other sports.

At a Committee Meeting on 28th January 2026 the committee discussed the results of the survey alongside the ability of the committee to take forward a major project of this kind.

Although there was continued support for Padel amongst some committee members there were concerns about potential costs, the availability of committee members to take forward such a project, local competition for padel, neighbour noise concerns alongside the need for the committee to focus on maintaining and improving existing club facilities, including a need to resurface the courts in a few years' time.

Following the discussion, it was decided the committee would take an anonymous vote to determine the way forward. Committee members were asked to vote Yes/ No to the following statement:

The development of a Padel facility in Ilmington should be taken forward and managed by the committee of Ilmington Tennis Club

The result of the vote was 7 votes NO, 4 votes YES. A decision has therefore been made that a Padel facility will not be built and managed by the current Ilmington Tennis Club committee.

The committee realise this will be disappointing for those who were enthused by the idea of playing Padel in the village. Given the clear interest in and support for Padel, the Committee will happily share contacts and work completed to date, should any other group wish to pursue this project.  If you have an interest in supporting a Padel Project or the tennis club in any way, please contact the club secretary via imsf.clubsecretary@gmail.com.

The committee will now focus on developing a new business plan for existing facilities, which will include important maintenance and improvements for the benefit of members and the local community.

Regards

The Committee of Ilmington Tennis Club