Padel coming to West Sacramento: Courts for growing sport slated near ballpark, Drake’s Barn
A new sports facility is coming to West Sacramento a few yards from Sutter Health Park.
Park Padel, a company from the Bay Area, announced this week it would build a four-court padel center expected to open this fall next to Drake’s Barn on Riverfront Street. Padel is a racket sport described as a combination of tennis and squash that competes with pickleball.
“We are thrilled to bring Park Padel to (West) Sacramento’s Bridge District,” said Jessica Talbert, co-founder of Park Padel in the announcement. “Padel is a social, fast-paced game, and we can’t wait for people in the area to experience it in this beautiful new location by the river.”
The Bridge District is a newer rendition for what’s known in West Sacramento as the Pioneer Bluff neighborhood.
Padel and pickleball have both risen in popularity throughout the country and internationally since the COVID-19 pandemic led to people finding new forms of exercise. A study by Losberger De Boer published in the spring suggests padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world with 25 million players in 110 countries. The sport has become particularly popular in the United Kingdom.
Padel and pickleball have courts that are smaller than tennis courts, allowing players to cover less ground. While both are similar to tennis, padel adds the element of walls lining courts that can be used in play, like squash. The walls allow for unique shot making while pickleball requires more traditional shots and volleys.
A standard padel court is slightly smaller than a tennis court at 20 meters long by 10 meters wide with a net separating two sides. The walls along the edges of the court are typically made of glass or plastic, and are in play only after a shot hits the ground first. Unlike tennis, serves must be done at or below the waist. Like tennis, they must land in the square diagonally from the server just behind the net.
The courts will be outdoors just north of Drake’s Barn and offer access to the popular outdoor tap house’s drink and food options. There will also be shaded lounge areas and a place to work out. The location will be roughly 24,000 square feet, the company said.
The company’s first location in San Francisco has monthly memberships running between $50 and $100 while some cover five players, though pricing for West Sacramento has not been determined. Memberships include discounts on court time, lessons, racket rentals and merchandise. Nonmembers can also use the facilities for a fee.
The padel facility in West Sacramento is the latest project right outside the future home to Major League Baseball next spring when the Oakland A’s temporarily move to Sutter Health Park. The new Park Padel also will be a short walk from Birdies Social Club, a new restaurant featuring golf simulator bays announced last month that is expected to open in the spring.
