A development application has been lodged with Shellharbour City Council for a nine-court sports hub at 47 Princes Highway in Albion Park Rail. The facility will feature six pickleball courts and three padel ball courts, with a total estimated cost of $97,000.
According to the application's statement of environmental effects, padel is described as a fast-paced, social racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. Originating in Mexico in 1969, it has gained global popularity due to its accessibility, relying more on strategy and ball control than power.
The centre is planned to operate seven days a week from 6am to 10pm. When all courts are in use simultaneously with four players per court, the facility can accommodate up to 36 players. The site will employ a maximum of four staff, bringing the total occupancy to 40 people, with court bookings ensuring no more than 10 people are waiting to play, limiting building occupancy to 50.
Traffic generation is estimated at about nine trips per hour, which is not expected to exceed that of the current timber distribution yard on the site. This represents approximately 0.5 per cent of the likely through-traffic on Princes Highway in either peak direction, which has been reduced from 80,000 vehicles per day before the bypass to 2,800 to 4,000 vehicle trips per hour.
The development application is on public exhibition until April 7.
