Golfers fear change to golf course will have "detrimental" effect on tourism in Waterford
Padel tennis courts are one third smaller than tennis courts.
It appears that padel tennis (or pickleball, as it is sometimes called) will be the summer sport of 2026 for Waterford.
William Bolster has submitted a planning application to build two outdoor padel courts in the Newtown Practice Range in Tramore.
However some residents in the area are referring to padel tennis as a “high impact, noise-intensive sport.” They worry the courts will encourage evening activity in the area and disrupt the privacy of their gardens.
In West Waterford, Padel 100 has submitted plans to build two portable padel tennis courts in the West Waterford Golf Club.
Padel 100 have said they plan to build over 150 padel tennis courts across Ireland in the next two years.
Considered one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, Padel tennis is a hybrid of tennis and squash. It gained popularity first in the US and then in Europe. It is purely a recreational sport with no professional athletes or leagues.
However, the sport is not everyone’s cup of tea.
Many shareholders of the West Waterford Golf Club have stated in writing to Waterford City and County Council that a padel tennis court in the West Waterford Golf Club would have a “detrimental” effect on tourism in West Waterford.
Some raised concerns about setting a “precedent for further non-golf related additions.”
However, the craze seems to be unstoppable, here in Waterford. Courts are set to be installed in Mount Congreve and Clover Meats redevelopment in Ferrybank.
