Work has officially begun on building two new padel tennis courts at Kenilworth Tennis Squash and Croquet Club.

The Crackley Lane club announced in August that the new facilities would be developed by Padel Tech.

And an official ground breaking event was held at the club yesterday (January 6) with MP for Kenilworth and Southam Sir Jeremy Wright and Mayor of Kenilworth Cllr Sam Louden-Cooke in attendance.

Club president Peter Whiting addressed the guests, saying: "Our club has always evolved – it started elsewhere in the town, and since moving to this site has converted grass tennis courts to croquet lawns, added squash courts (including the most recent glass-backed show court), and upgraded six of our tennis courts to tiger turf.

"We've also invested in our clubhouse, and are in the process of upgrading our tennis floodlights to LED technology.

"The addition of two padel courts, which begins today, is the latest step in that ongoing evolution."

An artist's impression of how one of the padel courts will look (Image via KTSCC)

The club has received funding from Warwick District Council as well as a loan from the Lawn Tennis Association for the project.

KTSCC also hopes the two courts - which will be built on spare land next to the adjacent tennis courts - will boost membership numbers.

Peter said there has already been a great deal of external interest in the development.

"Kenilworth is growing – we're all aware of the many hundreds of new houses being built, and I must also mention the amazing new school that's nearing completion and the work in progress to upgrade other sports clubs and facilities," he added.

Work on the courts is hoped to be completed this Spring

"All of this development gives our club a great opportunity to grow along with the town, and I very much believe that these new courts will be a major contributor to that growth."

The courts are expected to be completed in the spring.

Sir Jeremy said: "I was delighted to attend the ground-breaking ceremony for new padel tennis courts alongside the Mayor of Kenilworth Cllr Sam Louden-Cooke.

"The courts are the first of their kind in Warwickshire and will be a great asset to the constituency.

"Sports clubs act as important community hubs and I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this recent investment."

Peter was also eager to thank the volunteers that help run the club.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the other volunteer members of the general committee who have worked to get the project to this stage.

"In particular I'd like to thank Frank Hurst, responsible for marketing, who's organised this event.

"It's a shame that our membership secretary Ian Cochrane can't be with us today. Ian has done by far the bulk of the heavy lifting on this project, and I think it's fair to say that without his enthusiasm and commitment, we wouldn't be here now."

The next closest courts are in Solihull, meaning Kenilworth will have the only public padel courts in Warwickshire.

The courts will be built next to the tennis courts (Image via KTSCC)