NEW padel courts could eventually be created in Salisbury’s Victoria Park under new proposals.

The rapidly growing sport combines tennis with squash and has become more popular in recent years, with more than 30 million players worldwide.

Victoria Park Tennis Ltd (VPTL) is seeking to bring a new “community-focused padel facility” into the park’s infrastructure to further enhance the city’s recreational offerings.

This would see three new padel courts created.

Representatives from VPTL attended an extraordinary full council meeting on Monday (May 12) to discuss the idea with councillors.

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The multi-use games area (MUGA) at the park, which backs onto the current tennis court facilities, could be the chosen destination for the padel court, and VPTL say the costs of relocating the MUGA would be covered by VPTL, as well as construction of the proposed court.

The court would operate under a pay and play model, with off-peak pricing, discounts, and free taster sessions for residents.

VPTL representatives said the proposal would make getting into the sport easier and more affordable.

They said: “There is a lack of accessibility around gender, disability and youth programmes in padel at the moment.

“There’s not enough women and girls playing padel at the moment – it’s very male dominated, and that’s something we would be looking to change in Salisbury by pushing initiatives and programmes.”

Cllr Sharon Rideout described the plans as “really exciting”.

“As a special needs coordinator, having that kind of facility for our young and old people would be amazing.

“My only concern surrounds parking, as the parking on that side of the park is where disabled people will need to park, and we don’t have any jurisdiction over who parks in that car park.”

She said she’s experienced issues with pupils from the nearby South Wilts Grammar School and commuters parking in the area “all day” and encouraged Salisbury City Council to support the car park if the proposal becomes a reality.

A VPTL representative said they would encourage users to park at the Castle Road car park.

Councillors tasked officers to engage with club officials about the proposals.

A planning application has not yet been submitted.