Published: Thursday, 16th July 2026
The Borough Council is working with the LTA on plans to develop a new Community Covered Tennis, Padel and Multisport Hub at Lynnsport to serve up new opportunities for the advantage of residents.
The council and LTA are exploring development of a hub at Lynnsport as one of a number of nationally-funded pilot schemes across the country. King’s Lynn has been identified as an area where the community lacks access to covered tennis and padel courts by the LTA, meaning that opportunities for year-round participation are limited.
The major upgrade would bring covered tennis, padel and flexible multi-use courts for use by the local community – and be a game-changer for West Norfolk as currently the closest covered tennis courts to King’s Lynn are Easton in Norwich.
A report to be considered by councillors shares plans for the new high-quality facilities, centred in King’s Lynn’s most deprived communities, which would address unmet growing demand and help even more residents of all ages, abilities and backgrounds get involved in sport, boosting physical and mental health.
The four current, under-used outdoor tennis courts will be covered to enable year-round play in all weathers. One court space will be extended and become a multi-activity games area to meet demand for more indoor play space for other activities like netball and basketball.
Alongside this, three new premium covered padel courts will be constructed as part of this new racket sports hub, to make this rapid-growth sport more available to all in West Norfolk under an affordable, council-operated community model.
Currently, there are no dedicated indoor tennis courts within the borough and only one padel court, while the outdoor courts are underused for much of the year due to English weather. Meanwhile, Lynnsport does not have enough flexible indoor sports space and has to turn away bookings.
The go-ahead is subject to required partnership funding and planning consent from the council, with the plans to be discussed at the Environment and Community Panel on 21 July and Cabinet on 23 July, prior to Full Council.
Councillor Simon Ring, Deputy Council Leader, said: “This is a collective decision for councillors but as Cabinet member I see this prestigious national grant funding as an ace opportunity for our residents. Through inclusive, year-round provision, this will support children and young people, older and isolated residents, disabled people and community groups to be more active, connected and engaged.
“Working with the LTA, this will be a game changer for tennis provision in West Norfolk. We have a significant shortage of indoor tennis, padel and covered flexible sports space but now we can get significant national investment to improve access to affordable physical activity and wellbeing opportunities, particularly for residents living in areas of greatest deprivation.
“The much-needed extra capacity created through covered courts and flexible multi-use space will enable more community participation, coaching programmes and wellbeing initiatives, generating benefits for improved health, reduced isolation and stronger communities.
“This exciting proposed project is not simply as an investment in a high quality yet affordable leisure facility, but an investment in healthier people, stronger communities and improved life opportunities across West Norfolk.”