Play Padel at Xcite Bathgate

WEST LOTHIAN'S FIRST INDOOR PADEL COURT OPENS AT XCITE BATHGATE

In an exciting milestone for West Lothian, West Lothian Leisure has invested £30,000 to create the county's first indoor padel court at Xcite Bathgate. This new, fully enclosed facility ensures year-round playability, enhancing the local sports scene and offering residents a unique recreational opportunity.

Harry Cartmill, ward councillor for Bathgate, cut the ribbon for the official launch and hailed the arrival of the padel court to the town.

He said: “It’s a fantastic facility and I really applaud West Lothian Leisure and Xcite Bathgate for setting the court up here. It’s a little easier than regular tennis. I welcome anything that helps people get active whether it’s young people, or people my age!”

This achievement is particularly significant as it marks the only indoor padel court in West Lothian.

However, the benefits of the new padel court extend beyond sport provision. Here are four key reasons why Padel supports health and wellbeing:

1. Comprehensive Workout: Padel provides a full-body workout, enhancing cardiovascular health, muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination.
2. Accessibility: The sport is low-impact and easy to learn, aligning with our mission to make physical activity accessible to the local community.
3. Social Interaction: Padel is played in doubles, fostering social interaction and camaraderie and helping to bring the community together through sport. Plus, it's fun to play!
4. Mental Health Benefits: The strategic nature of Padel boosts mental agility, concentration, and stress relief, supporting our broader goals of mental wellbeing through sports.

West Lothian Leisure remains committed to reinvesting in our facilities to provide the community with the best sports and leisure opportunities.

Youth Taster Sessions

Bathgate's youngsters have already had a chance to experience the new padel court. Primary four pupils from Balbardie Primary School enjoyed taster sessions organised by the Lawn Tennis Association, giving them an exciting introduction to this fast-growing sport.

Did You Know?

1. Fast-Growing Popularity: Padel is the world's fastest-growing sport, with hundreds of courts built across the UK in recent years.
2. Unique Game: Reminiscent of tennis, Padel is played on a court one-quarter the size of a traditional tennis court. It's typically played in doubles and features an enclosed court, allowing players to use the walls to their advantage.
3. Exclusive Facility: The new facility at Bathgate is only the second padel court in West Lothian, the first to be covered, and one of the few fully indoor courts in Scotland.

This new addition to Xcite Bathgate represents a significant enhancement to West Lothian's sporting facilities, promising to be a hub of activity and community engagement for years to come.

Sergio Tansini, chair of West Lothian Leisure’s board, said: “The padel court represents an exciting example of the work that West Lothian Leisure is doing to develop its offering, improving not only sporting provision but also health and wellbeing facilities across the county.

“I look forward to seeing our community enjoying this facility. We are committed to reinvesting in our facilities to ensure we provide the very best sport and leisure opportunities for West Lothian. If you haven’t tried padel I encourage you to give it a go, it is a fantastic game and accessible for people of all abilities. I also would like to extend our gratitude to West Lothian Council for its ongoing collaboration and support.”

The state-of-the-art facility is now available for public bookings at an introductory price of:

• Xcite members: £20 per hour
• Non-members: £22 per hour

Racquets and balls are also available to hire on request.  

BOOK NOW via our website, the Xcite WLL app or contact Xcite Bathgate reception on 01506 237910