A new sports club says it wants to support and create a new community in Noble’s Park and the wider island.
Manx Padel has spent two years developing six courts on the former netball and tennis courts in the Douglas park to encourage people to try something new.
The club has one fully accessible padel court, but the other five also have ramp access to the entrances.
They also have floodlights attached to each court and there are rackets available to hire from the park’s cafe.
The club says Douglas Council, which manages the park, has supported the idea from the beginning and has been “really helpful” throughout the process.
Padel sees pairs playing against each other in enclosed courts and is widely seen as a hybrid of squash and tennis.
Co-owner Peter Pearce said the plans took longer than expected because they wanted to do everything “once and right”.
Angela Von Hoesslin, another co-owner, said padel was ideal for young children and older adults. The idea was about “bringing the community together” and having fun.
Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to them both: