World’s fastest growing sport coming to Holme Pierrepont Country Park

Leisure Solutions Community Trust is proud to announce a partnership with Barrio Padel and Nottinghamshire County Council, which will see the introduction of four premium covered Padel Tennis courts at Holme Pierrepont Country Park, the home of the National Water Sports Centre.

With planning permission for the courts recently granted and building work already begun, the Barrio Padel team fully expect to have people playing the sport at Holme Pierrepont Country Park by June this year.

The new courts will be operated by Barrio Padel, which was formed in April 2025 by Matt Bennett and Matt Shenton, who are co-directors of the company. Matt Bennett said:

“We’ve been looking for the perfect home to create more Padel court capacity in Nottingham for this amazing, fast-growing sport. Working with Leisure Solutions Community Trust and Nottinghamshire County Council, we’ve have found the perfect partners to help us create a Padel Club at this iconic Nottinghamshire location.

“Our core values are underpinned by two key elements - providing a premium level service in an accessible environment. This is an exciting, easy to learn and fun sport, which is open to people of all ages, all demographics and abilities.

“The courts will be covered, and feature all the services a player expects, including toilets, changing rooms, showers, a social space, a café/bar and plenty of free parking.

“In Spanish, ‘Barrio’ translates as ‘neighbourhood’, and it’s that kind of community, inclusive environment we’ll be trying to build at the venue. From June, we look forward to welcoming all players to Barrio Padel at Holme Pierrepont Country Park!”

Ian Phelps, Chair of Leisure Solutions Community Trust, which operates Holme Pierrepont Country Park on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, said:

“Padel is officially the world’s fastest growing sport, so this is a very exciting time for the team at Holme Pierrepont Country Park, the home of the National Water Sports Centre. We’re looking forward to working with the Barrio Padel team, who are passionate about bringing the sport to every sector of this community.”

Matt Shenton from Barrio Padel added:

“You will soon be able to connect with the Barrio Padel team via our social media feeds and WhatsApp community. These will become available once we have a confirmed opening date.

“The courts will be bookable via the Padel Mates app, which will be available two weeks prior to opening.”