Tens of thousands of people could flock to a new seafront sports facility to play padel each year, residents and councillors heard in a talk on plans for Ryde Arena.
Two of the three prospective buyers of the former ice rink – David Norville and Sean Burroughs – laid out their plans to redevelop the derelict building at Ryde Town Council’s planning and environment committee.
They both form part of Arena Developments, alongside Charles Winterton.
Mr Norville said they will bring an empty building back into use, create employment and turn the place into ‘a bit of a buzz’.
Responding to Cllr Malcolm Ross, Mr Norville said that based on 75% occupancy, 87,000 people a year would use the building for padel.
Padel in 2019 had 15,000 players and as of today has over a million, he said.
“When you get off the hover… in the winter, when it’s dark it feels moody and you don’t feel particularly safe…that will all change with seeing that building used and come back to life.
“We have the funding to develop this scheme and with the right timing and the council’s support we’d love to have this open by the end of summer next year.”
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Apart from padel, a sport combining elements of tennis and squash, the prospective owners’ plans include indoor climbing walls, outdoor cricket nets, formula one and golf simulators, a restaurant and a cafe.
Cllr Alex Lewington, who represents Ryde Monktonmead, said:
“I’m very supportive, it’s only a couple of hundred metres from my ward. I would be broadly very much in favour of returning it to a use that’s beneficial not only for external visitors to the town as a first point of contact…but also for the local youths.”
Ryde Arena closed in 2016. Its freehold is owned by the Isle of Wight Council but, since 2014, the lease has been in the hands of AEW.
Beware, they know the town council / board has a load of dosh and the “support” they need will be financial in the end.
As long as they make the most of the sea view
it will be a win win.
Bring buzz back until the council screw it up
Something desperately needs to