In a bold move to stay ahead of fitness trends and member demand, West Wood Clubs is transforming one of its flagship facilities in Leopardstown into the largest indoor padel and pickleball center in Ireland. Set to open in Summer 2025, the new venue will feature top-tier courts, dedicated social spaces and the infrastructure to host international competitions.
We caught up with Alan Leach, the CEO of West Wood Clubs, to learn what inspired the project, how the club is tapping into the growing European interest in pickleball, and what other operators can learn from their ambitious buildout.
What sparked the addition of the Indoor Padel & Pickleball Venue?
We had been hearing about its rising popularity in Europe and particularly in Spain and Portugal. At West Wood Club, we’re always investing in new facilities and fitness experiences for our members. One of our clubs had two indoor domes with 14 tennis courts, but the domes were nearing the end of their lifespan. While ordering replacements, we saw an opportunity to repurpose one of the domes for padel — a sport that was already gaining traction among the public in Ireland.
From there, our managing director Karen Polley, our operations manager John Clarke, and head of racquet sports Ed Dunne and the West Wood Club team became passionate about creating Ireland’s best indoor padel facility. As our plans progressed, Karen, John and Ed also decided to incorporate pickleball, positioning ourselves to lead the way if the sport takes off in Ireland.
We’re now building Ireland’s largest indoor padel and pickleball center at West Wood Club Leopardstown, set to open in Summer 2025.
Pickleball in particular is taking off in the U.S. – is it also growing quickly in Europe and Ireland?
Yes, we’re seeing more and more facilities adding pickleball across Europe. While it’s nowhere near the size of the padel market yet, it’s growing steadily in Ireland. We want to be the first commercial fitness facility in Ireland to introduce dedicated pickleball courts. By leading the way, we’re making sure our members have access to the latest and most exciting sports as soon as they gain traction.
What are you most excited about regarding this project? What will it mean for the club and community?
We’re incredibly excited about this project. Our member surveys showed that padel was the most requested new addition to our clubs. In fact, when we asked members,“What new facility would you like to see added to West Wood Club?” Over 32% said padel — far beyond what we expected.
At West Wood Club, building a strong sports community is key. Many of our tennis and squash members have been with us for decades, and we see padel and pickleball as an opportunity to expand that tradition. We’re also lucky to have an incredible director of racquet sports, Ed Dunne, who has been a major champion for bringing padel and pickleball to West Wood Club. Even before opening, the buzz around padel has already helped us increase membership growth and reduce attrition rates.
What are some design tips or lessons you’ve learned from this project?
We’ve learned a lot during this process. Here are the key takeaways:
- Dome Design Considerations: If you’re adding padel or pickleball inside an air dome, keep in mind that you won’t fit as many courts as expected because of the dome’s sloping sides.
- Social Spaces Matter: Padel and pickleball are very social sports, so it’s essential to create areas where players can connect, watch games and build a community.
- Competition-Grade Courts: To attract international tournaments, you need to include at least two high-spec courts that meet global competition standards.
These lessons have shaped our facility’s final design, ensuring it meets both recreational and professional needs.
Anything else you’d like to share?
We’re partnering with Padel Courts Ireland and MejorSet, the world’s leading padel court manufacturer, to bring this project to life. The new facility will feature eight top-quality padel courts, four professional pickleball courts, a brand-new Air Dome (replacing Dome 2), and social areas and stadium seating for international competitions. This will make West Wood Club Leopardstown the largest indoor padel and pickleball facility in Ireland — and one of the biggest in Europe.
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With over a decade spent covering the business side of sports and fitness, Rachel Chonko brings a wealth of experience and a true passion for active communities to Peake Media. As Editor-in-Chief, she’s focused on helping pickleball clubs and fitness facilities thrive, from guiding growth strategies to showcasing the latest industry trends. Rachel also hosts the Club Solutions Magazine Podcast, where she interviews leaders in fitness and pickleball to share insights and success stories with the wider community to give her listeners a competitive edge.
After taking up pickleball herself, Rachel has come to appreciate the sport’s unique blend of social connection and active living — a mix that’s perfectly in line with her editorial philosophy. Connect with her on LinkedIn, or check out her articles below for a deep dive into the energy and culture driving pickleball’s rapid rise.
