Padel courts, indoor cycling studio and virtual reality experience planned for sports centres in Stansted, Dunmow and Saffron Walden

Uttlesford’s leisure centres in Stansted, Dunmow and Saffron Walden are set to benefit from exciting new attractions.

Padel courts, a state-of-the-art indoor cycling studio and virtual reality (VR) games area are planned.

Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre in the grounds of Forest Hall School in Stansted has submitted an application to Uttlesford District Council (UDC), which owns the district’s three centres operated by 1Life, to turn disused tennis courts into three glass-enclosed padel courts.

Described as one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, padel is a racket sport usually played in doubles and scores similarly to tennis, although the ball can be played off walls which surround the court.

Romeera Leisure Centre will work in partnership with Padel United at the pay-and-play courts, where coaching sessions will be provided for juniors and adults. Padel United currently runs eight venues with 26 courts across the country.

New all-weather tennis and netball courts are also proposed on an adjacent area next to the padel courts.

Stansted Parish Council considered the scheme at its latest meeting and welcomed it as a “good community asset”.

At Dunmow Leisure Centre, a £90,000 investment will see one of two existing squash courts converted into a state-of-the-art indoor cycling studio.

And at Lord Butler Leisure Centre in Saffron Walden, one of three squash courts will become home to an active virtual reality experience aimed at driving activity in the younger generation and an experience that families of all ages can enjoy together.

A council spokesperson said: “Squash is one of many sports and forms of exercise that will continue to be offered at the leisure centres, but with demand dropping in recent years both locally and nationally and the courts significantly underused, this is a fantastic opportunity to enhance the centre’s offering.”

Cllr Petrina Lees, leader of the Residents for Uttlesford-led district council, said: “Despite the best efforts of clubs like Saffron Walden Squash Club, people have turned in greater numbers to other, new forms of exercise and to different sports such as the fast-growing game of pickleball, which has been added to the offering in the general sports area.

“Whilst maintaining the opportunity to play squash, it makes sense to make better use of the valuable floor space, which will help to increase participation and encourage new and young users of our leisure services.”

The schemes were put forward by 1Life and backed by the council.

Steve Bambury, chief operating officer at 1Life Management Solutions, said: “We are committed to keeping the community active and ensuring the activities and services are reflective of customer demands and trends, whilst maximising the usage of the facilities.”