Published on Wednesday, 29 April 2026 at 11:56:17 AM
Bassendean is set to welcome one of the world’s fastest‑growing sports, with Council endorsing the establishment of a dedicated committee to progress the delivery of padel courts at BIC Reserve.
The proposal aims to introduce a highly social and accessible recreational option that will activate BIC Reserve and further enhance the Town Centre.
At last night’s meeting, Council supported the creation of a Committee of Council and Staff to assess shortlisted proposals received through a recent Expression of Interest (EOI) process. The committee will play a key role in selecting a preferred operator and enabling the delivery of high‑quality, fully funded padel courts at BIC Reserve.
The EOI process attracted three competitive submissions, all proposing to design, build, fund and operate padel courts alongside the existing tennis court facilities. Importantly, the initiative is expected to deliver new sporting opportunities for the community at no cost to the Town, while generating a commercial return that can be reinvested back into local facilities and services.
Padel is a doubles‑only racquet sport often described as a mix of tennis and squash, played on a smaller enclosed court with glass walls that keep the action going and the rallies long. Easy to learn, highly social and suitable for all ages and abilities, padel has exploded in popularity across Australia and internationally.
The proposed courts align with the BIC Reserve Master Plan, the Town’s Public Open Space Strategy and broader Council objectives focused on town centre activation, financial sustainability and creating vibrant, multi‑use community spaces.
Positioned alongside the Bassendean Tennis Club and Bassendean Bowling Club, the padel courts are expected to complement existing sporting infrastructure while attracting new users, spectators and visitors to the area.
The Committee of Council will now progress shortlisting, site visits and community engagement considerations before making a recommendation to Council on a preferred proposal and lease arrangement. Once this work is complete, the committee will be disbanded.
Further updates will be shared as the project moves forward.
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