Deal at industrial park paves way for padel and pickleball centre
A warehouse in Dorset is being transformed into an indoor centre for the world’s fastest-growing racquet sports.
A mix between tennis and squash, the game of padel is usually played in doubles in an enclosed space.
Also being played at the building in Unit 1-2, Priory Industrial Park in Christchurch, will be pickleball, a mix of tennis, badminton and table tennis and also usually played in doubles.
Brand-new super panoramic padel courts and purpose-built acrylic pickleball courts are being installed.
Smeda Sports is looking to open the facility in Airspeed Road this month (December), having signed a 10-year lease on the 15,418 sq ft premises, which includes ground and first-floor offices and 24 car parking spaces.
Property consultancy Vail Williams, which has an office in Bournemouth, acted for the private owner of the property.
Bryony Thompson, a Vail Williams partner, said: “We have seen a considerable increase in requirements for indoor padel centres in recent months and we are pleased to have been involved with Smeda Sports bringing these two popular racquet sports to Christchurch which will no doubt be incredibly successful.
“Padel is likely to appeal to the more athletically minded whilst pickleball, using a paddle and a ball called a wiffle, is accessible for all skill levels and ages.”
Smeda Sports, which also stocks products for pickleball, padel and sportswear and accessories, will be complementing activities with gym equipment tailored for pickleball and padel strength and conditioning, along with yoga and pilates sessions.
The company is run by two directors, Tania Smeda and Karen Smith.
They said: “Following a significant investment in the warehouse lease and courts conversion, we look forward very much to introducing padel and pickleball to new players in Christchurch, young and old, and creating local employment.
“We are grateful to Vail Williams for ‘serving up’ a great sporting venue for us here on the South Coast, with the location convenient for customers from the BCP conurbation and New Forest.”
