100 signatures reached
To: Simon Pearson, Group Racquets Manager at David Lloyd, and other senior management
Urgently pause the conversion of tennis courts to padel courts at David Lloyd Manchester North
We, the racquet members at David Lloyd Manchester North, are immensely disappointed at the decision to convert tennis courts 7, 8 and 9 into padel courts, without any prior consultation with regular and loyal fee-paying, existing members.
We are also extremely disappointed that a members forum meeting has been offered to allay our disappointment AFTER the decision has been made. As such, it seems unlikely members will be able to influence any decisions unless an urgent pause is enforced by management.
We request that the development is paused and reviewed with member involvement as a matter of urgency and alternative provision to provide padel opportunities elsewhere on the site are considered.
We also request that additional measures are taken to make the outdoor courts playable in the winter (i.e. with the erection of the bubble) to allow for more opportunities to play.
We enclose the following news report, supported by our very own Jack Draper, to present our concerns that tennis is being sidelined due to the growth of padel: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg73469q88o
We are also extremely disappointed that a members forum meeting has been offered to allay our disappointment AFTER the decision has been made. As such, it seems unlikely members will be able to influence any decisions unless an urgent pause is enforced by management.
We request that the development is paused and reviewed with member involvement as a matter of urgency and alternative provision to provide padel opportunities elsewhere on the site are considered.
We also request that additional measures are taken to make the outdoor courts playable in the winter (i.e. with the erection of the bubble) to allow for more opportunities to play.
We enclose the following news report, supported by our very own Jack Draper, to present our concerns that tennis is being sidelined due to the growth of padel: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg73469q88o
Why is this important?
Padel is a sport growing quickly in popularity.
The members of David Lloyd Manchester North have no objections to padel being offered in addition to tennis. However, we object to three tennis courts being replaced with four padel courts when it is already difficult to book tennis courts, particularly at peak times. This is a concern that is shared with David Lloyd Manchester North management by members on a regular basis.
In addition, we are acutely aware of the times where the LTA book out use of many courts (often 5-6 courts for use in tournaments). This often leaves paying members with access to only 3-4 courts, which makes it increasingly difficult to book them. We are therefore even more concerned about the availability of only six courts, should the work go ahead - does this mean all members have access to one court or even no courts at all?
There is ample space available on the site for outdoor padel, which is a provision at other David Lloyd clubs, including Trafford and Leeds. We welcome the addition of padel to the club - but not at the expense of the already popular tennis courts and, therefore, your tennis-playing members.
The members of David Lloyd Manchester North have no objections to padel being offered in addition to tennis. However, we object to three tennis courts being replaced with four padel courts when it is already difficult to book tennis courts, particularly at peak times. This is a concern that is shared with David Lloyd Manchester North management by members on a regular basis.
In addition, we are acutely aware of the times where the LTA book out use of many courts (often 5-6 courts for use in tournaments). This often leaves paying members with access to only 3-4 courts, which makes it increasingly difficult to book them. We are therefore even more concerned about the availability of only six courts, should the work go ahead - does this mean all members have access to one court or even no courts at all?
There is ample space available on the site for outdoor padel, which is a provision at other David Lloyd clubs, including Trafford and Leeds. We welcome the addition of padel to the club - but not at the expense of the already popular tennis courts and, therefore, your tennis-playing members.
