Green light for new padel tennis facility in Cork
Cork City Council has given the go-ahead for a new padel tennis facility in Douglas.Developer Denis Murphy sought planning permission in January to build an indoor recreation facility at Saint Patrick's Woollen Mills in Douglas, comprising six padel courts in total.The facility will also include a multi-use sports and recreation room, a cafe, a reception area, changing facilities and seating areas, along with all associated site development works. The scheme, located adjacent to where separate works have just started on a new primary care centre, will also include car parking, a plaza and landscaped open space, with the multi-use room also featuring golf-simulation machines, which the developer said would enhance "both activity and leisure facilities."The facility, which will trade as The Padel Club Cork, marks a €2m investment. The developer added that the project made efficient use of underutilised land, while also laying the groundwork for future development. Long-term potential could include the introduction of urban blocks with ground-floor commercial or mixed-use spaces, the developer's planning statement said. It added that these blocks could be topped with apartments, "contributing to the creation of a high-quality mixed-use hub.""In doing so, the proposal would not only complement the wide range of existing amenities in the area but also bring significant added value to Douglas residents and the wider community," the developer added. The floor plan of the facility will be organised around two sets of three courts, with the facade being divided into two distinct sections.Associated site development works include car and bicycle parking, landscaping, drainage, signage and bin stores. Further information on the scheme was sought by the city council, requesting clarification on pedestrian provisions, covered bicycle parking, drainage layout and the phasing of the development, among other issues. Cork City Council approved the plans following a response from the developer, green-lighting the proposal with 28 conditions."We've designed a premium experience both on and off the court,' said Mr Murphy."Every element of this club has been carefully considered from the outset, to build something that genuinely raises the bar for padel in Ireland."We hope that people won't just come here to play, they'll come here to spend time. With academy-led coaching, leagues, and events planned year-round, we're building a club centred around community and connection in Douglas."The new development will become Cork's third dedicated padel facility, following outlets in both Carrigtwohill and Monahan Road in the city centre.The Padel Federation of Ireland reports more than 50 courts now operating across the country, with a wave of new clubs opening through 2025 and 2026.
