The Morley Noranda Recreation Club in Bayswater is set to expand with six new padel courts, following an application from Outback Padel to the City of Bayswater. Public comments on the proposal have closed, and councillors will review it later this year. The initiative aims to tap into the growing popularity of padel in Western Australia.
Padel, a sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, uses solid paddles to strike a tennis-like ball over a net, with scoring rules matching those of tennis. The proposed development at the Noranda sporting complex would include six courts positioned adjacent to the southern boundary, along with additional trees, a 6m by 3m equipment store, and a seating area. These facilities would support up to 24 players and three staff members at a time and operate daily from 7am to 10pm.
No new parking spaces are planned, relying instead on the existing 130 bays on site and along nearby Wylde Street. In August, the City of Bayswater approved a sub-lease agreement between Outback Padel and the Bedford Bowling Club, extending until December 2035. This move builds on the site's underutilized areas to provide more community activities.
Jaimie Forssman from Outback Padel highlighted the sport's appeal during the council discussion. “One of the unique aspects of padel is that people often find themselves hooked after just one game,” he said. He added that padel is the world's fastest-growing sport, boasting over 30 million players across more than 130 countries and 50,000 courts. In Western Australia, adoption remains nascent with only eight courts, but interest is rising. “WA is still in the early stages with just eight courts, but the appetite is already here, and Bayswater has the opportunity to be at the forefront of this movement,” Forssman noted.
Outback Padel will fund all construction costs and ongoing electricity expenses. City officers have endorsed the application, emphasizing its potential to enhance local recreation options.