Padel Tennis coming to Lightwater Leisure Centre

Surrey Heath Borough Council and Lightwater Leisure Centre are delighted to announce the arrival of Padel Tennis — one of the world’s fastest-growing sports — to the heart of the community. The courts will be delivered in partnership with Pure Padel, one of the UK’s leading independent operators.

Following full planning approval by Surrey Heath Borough Council, the former tennis courts at Lightwater Leisure Centre will be transformed into a state-of-the-art six-court padel facility. Construction is scheduled to begin soon and is expected to take approximately six months.

This exciting development follows a community consultation in which padel tennis emerged as a highly requested addition to the Centre’s sporting offer. The new courts will be open to all on a pay-as-you-go basis, providing an accessible and inclusive opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to get active.

During construction, visitors may experience minor disruption, including a temporary one-way system in the car park and a small reduction in parking spaces. Lightwater Leisure Centre and Pure Padel are committed to minimising impact and keeping visitors updated throughout the works.

This project represents a shared commitment between the Council and the Leisure Centre to enhance local health, wellbeing, and recreational opportunities. 

A Surrey Heath Borough Council spokesperson said: "We are proud to support this exciting new facility, which responds directly to community feedback and brings a dynamic, inclusive sport to Lightwater. They continued: "This is a great example of partnership working, which supports our priority of promoting healthier communities, and will deliver real benefits for local people." 

Alisha Phillips, Club Manager of Lightwater Leisure Centre, added: “We are thrilled to be introducing padel tennis to Lightwater Leisure Centre. This project will bring one of the world’s fastest-growing sports to the local community in a modern, welcoming facility. It’s a fantastic opportunity to create a new space for health, fitness, and fun, and we thank our members and residents for their support during the construction period.”

Further details on court bookings and the official opening will be shared closer to completion. Residents can sign up for updates on construction and site access via the following link: