WATCH: Behind-the-scenes look at new major Ballina facility
Screenshot from: projectpadel.ie
A Connacht rugby player and his business partner are converting a Ballina storage warehouse into padel courts.
Jack Carty, who has played at fly-half 200 times for the province since his debut in 2012, and his business partner, Fergal Hynes, were successful in their application to change the use of the warehouse at the IDA Industrial Estate, Bunree, to a recreational and leisure facility consisting of four indoor padel courts.
Padel, which is similar to squash and tennis and played on enclosed courts, is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with over 30 million players worldwide and is fun and inclusive for all ages and all abilities.
The facility will be the first of its kind, offering all-weather, all-year-round sports and leisure offerings, and proposed that the hours of operation for the facility would be 9am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday.
Carty, who has represented Ireland 11 times, and Mr Hynes opened the first 'Project Padel' court in the west of Ireland last July. The three-court facility is located in Corrib Business Park on the N84 outside Galway city.
Check out a behind-the-scenes look at the new Bllina facility on their Instagram page
