Sound & Acoustics
The Netherlands is getting fuller and fuller. Not only due to population and housing numbers, but also the sports sector is demanding more and more space. As in the housing market, supply and demand for sports centres are out of proportion. A good example of this is padel. This popular sport is being played by more and more people. However, due to the high demand, more and more padel courts need to be built. But how do you do that in locations surrounded by housing? This blog takes a closer look at the issues of noise, acoustics and the game of padel.
The impact of padel courts on noise & acoustics
Although padel is becoming increasingly popular among many avid athletes, not everyone is happy that its popularity continues to rise. This is because, like most sports, this racket sport makes noise, which can cause nuisance to local residents. This is therefore a serious problem for complexes looking to expand with a padel court. But what are the consequences of noise pollution on a padel court? And how can you reduce reverberation on a padel court?
The impact of noise pollution from a padel court
Of course, it is not entirely without reason that there is currently a lot of focus on nuisance from padel courts. After all, it is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. The term nuisance can be interpreted broadly; after all, many sports involve noise. During the day, the average noise level of a sports complex may not exceed 50 decibels (dB(A)) on the facade of nearby residences. In the evening period (from 7pm onwards), this level is reduced to 45 dB(A) until 11pm and 40 dB(A) from 11pm to 7am. There are also separate standards for peak noise.
The consequences of nuisance are stress and unrest. Often, sports clubs are completely unaware of the nuisance experienced by local residents. As a sports club, therefore, try to put yourself in the shoes of local residents. Consider what nuisance they might experience from the noise and take measures accordingly.
Acoustic survey: what does it involve?
Padel basically makes more noise than tennis. This is due to a number of factors. For example, you play with a harder racket and the number of ball contacts is a lot higher. Then the hard padel balls hit the glass wall, amplifying the sound of a bouncing ball. To ensure that the legal requirements can be met, to ensure that local residents are not inconvenienced by a padel court and that players can play padel with peace of mind, an acoustic study should be carried out in most cases.
Acoustic research looks at the exact effects of noise from activities on the surrounding area. This is essential to prevent noise pollution from a padel court. This research is done by a specialised company. The study is done based on source data collected from other padel and tennis courts in defined conditions. The calculations are done with special calculation software.
What all is included in a noise study?
The survey is done on the basis of specific data. This does not require on-site measurement. The study takes into account the environmental conditions, such as roads, water features, buildings and the like around the padel courts. The tennis/padel association will have to indicate how the courts are used or expected to be used and what other activities (such as court maintenance) take place. The report will then be drawn up, containing all the basic assumptions and detailing the noise standards a club must comply with. If the study shows that noise barriers are necessary, this is the club's responsibility. Larger noise limits may be granted by the municipality if, for example, the existing situation with only tennis courts does not fit within the standard noise limits.
Acoustic consultant Arjo van den Berg (Van dB Advies) is a specialist in the field of tennis and padel courts: "Experience shows that many municipalities still lack knowledge and sometimes underestimate the problem, so advice to clubs is always to seek coordination with the municipality and to be appropriately critical if the municipality thinks it will all work out without acoustic research. If there are houses, schools or nurseries at distances shorter than 80-90 m from the planned padel courts, it is certainly not obvious that it will fit within the noise limits."
The future of padel courts
Padel courts located on a sports park outside the city usually do not cause nuisance, but what does the future look like for courts in or next to residential areas? Despite the fact that padel is fundamentally more noisy, there are possibilities. At Padelbouw B.V., we have a lot of expertise in acoustics and noise. We can fully advise your club. It is also important to inform the neighbourhood in good time. Involve local residents in the process. This will prevent local residents from objecting to the construction of a padel court and make them feel personally involved!
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