Limerick resident compares sound of padel play to 'gunshots'

RESIDENTS fear new padel courts will cause an unmerciful ‘racquet’ in their neighbourhood, with one comparing the sound of a ball being hit to “gunshots”.

Limerick Lawn Tennis Club at Ennis Road on the northside is seeking to convert two of its tennis courts into four padel courts.

It comes with the game, which originated in Mexico, growing in popularity.

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The club has said the proposed investment would modernise the existing facility, provide new programmes and attract new members to the club.

But three people living near the development have written to council expressing their concern over the development, which is scheduled to be decided on this Tuesday.

One person wrote that where they live, in neighbouring Lansdowne Park, the houses were constructed using single block walls.

Her home, she wrote, has less soundproofing than newer-builds, having been constructed in the 1930s.

“Currently, even with windows closed, the thumping sound of tennis balls and the mumbling banter of associated play is audible. These sounds are pleasant to hear. However, I have major concerns with the proposed development of padel courts due to the noise generated in padel play,” the local resident wrote.

“Padel play uses a solid racket and together with the impact of the ball on the surfaces and the nature of play creates loud noise levels comparable to gunshots,” they added.

The local resident pointed to guidelines from padel court manufacturers, which recommend courts should be built at least 100 metres from the nearest building.

She claimed one of the courts would be located just 26.9m away from her home.

Another resident added: “Solid racquets and balls bouncing off glass walls so close to our boundary fence cannot be compared to tennis courts.”

A third resident stated: “Padel is renowned for its inherent noisiness compared to traditional tennis due to smaller court size, glass walls and the nature of the game. It has been found noise levels exceed the acceptable threshold.”

They asked Limerick Lawn Tennis Club to consider acoustic barriers, sound absorbing materials and a limiting of playing hours.

“I am sure the members of the tennis club would not be too happy if someone tried to build padel courts near their home,” the neighbour added.

There was support for the project from local Labour TD Conor Sheehan.

In a letter to council planners, he predicted the project “will lead to increased participation in sports which is to be welcomed”

“The inclusion of padel courts at Limerick Lawn Tennis Club will allow the club to expand and sustain its operations in the coming years,” he added.

For its part, the club also said the courts will provide a “major boost” to the northside, pointing out there is no comparable facility in the area.

“The proposed Padel tennis courts will complement the existing tennis and squash facilities leading to an increase in the membership and the establishment of Limerick Lawn Tennis Club as the foremost racket sports club in the Mid-West,” agents for the club added.