Keely Goodall14 March 2025 | 12:38

'Padel courts will fundamentally change our area’ – Noordhoek resident

Residents are concerned about plans to add Padel courts to a garden nursery in Noordhoek.

'Padel courts will fundamentally change our area’ – Noordhoek resident

This two-day tournament is designed to showcase the surging popularity of padel in South Africa and offers fans a unique opportunity to witness the sport alongside some of Mzansi’s hottest celebrities. Picture credit: Instagram/@thepadelinvitational

The sport of Padel has become increasingly popular across the country. As a result, facilities are being built or renovated to feed the demand.

In Noordhoek, a sign has popped up at the local garden centre, saying that Padel courts are coming soon.

Gomes says they are not opposed to the sport, but do have a problem with this space being transformed.

He says many people in the area live 15m to 30m away from the entrance of this facility, and introducing Padel courts would be disruptive.

“Anyone who lives close to Padel courts with noise and light pollution will tell you that it fundamentally changes the nature of where you live.”
- Justin Gomes, Noordhoek resident 
“There could not be a more ill-suited location for Padel courts in Noordhoek than that specific bottom left hand corner of Noordhoek Garden Emporium.”
- Justin Gomes, Noordhoek resident 

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