Latest news with #LeeValley
BBC News
01-08-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Padel: Plans to convert London 2012 venue tennis courts shelved
Plans to replace tennis courts built for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games with padel courts have been shelved following a Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA), which runs the centre, said it "should have engaged with key groups before considering the padel proposal".The proposed plan was to turn four indoor tennis courts at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in north-east London into nine courts for the emerging racquet sport - which is a blend of tennis and Vedi, who was among those campaigning against the conversion, welcomed the authority's U-turn but said it has not been "taken off the table" entirely. He said a petition against the move had been signed by more than 2,000 people. The LVRPA decided to halt the padel court plans at a meeting of its executive committee on Monday. A spokesperson said: "Given the huge growth of padel and the health and wellbeing opportunities it brings to a wider community – all consistent with the authority's statutory remit – the committee has agreed to step back and carry out a more detailed assessment of options for padel and tennis as part of a wider review of future investment on the site." They said that the assessment will "take a strategic look at facilities on the Eton Manor site, be underpinned by the need to have regional appeal and commercial viability and involve engagement with people who use the venue and other interested parties"."Tennis and padel will be fully considered as part of the review," the spokesperson Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the governing body for both padel in the UK, said that the sport now has 400,000 players. The body said there are about 900 courts across 300 venues, but with increasing popularity this does not meet demand. However, the LTA had opposed the LVPRA's plans to repurpose the tennis courts, arguing it had invested in the centre's "legacy" of the Olympics. Reacting to Monday's decision: "Whilst campaigners are disappointed that this meeting did not completely take the repurposing of the indoor tennis hall 'off the table', they accept that this was more of a hope than an expectation."He said campaigners would continue to work to preserve "legacy for current and future generations of tennis players - hopefully to be joined by padel players".
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
London 2012 tennis courts to make way for padel
Tennis players are upset their courts will be replaced by padel facilities [BBC] Tennis courts built for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are to be replaced with padel courts in a move that has infuriated tennis players. The plan is to turn four indoor tennis courts at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in north-east London into nine courts for the emerging racquet sport - which is a blend of tennis and squash. Advertisement Shawn Dawson, boss of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, where Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre is, insisted the changes were essential. A petition against the plan has attracted more than 1,500 signatures. Mr Dawson said: "We need to make sure these great public assets, these great public Olympic venues are relevant for a wider section of the population. "So we are very much responding to trends... here we are 13 years on from the Games and we need to make sure these legacy venues continue to deliver." Shawn Dawson, boss of Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, insisted the changes were needed [BBC] But the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) called the plans "particularly disappointing". Advertisement It said: "The LTA and Tennis Foundation invested half a million pounds in the original tennis facility which is an important legacy from the London 2012 Paralympics. "The courts are still heavily used with over 700 children on the programme, 100,000 players accessing the facilities each year, a thriving disability programme and links to local schools." Tennis player Kimberly Schreiber said it was "disappointing" there had been no consultation [BBC] Tennis player Kimberly Schreiber called the scheme an "insult". She said: "What is disappointing is that this decision to replace our indoor courts is that it has been done with no public consultation, and it's just really an insult to the vibrant and diverse community that this tennis centre supports." Wheelchair user Ivan Vershigora said wheelchair tennis was his highlight of the week [BBC] Omosuyi Fred-Omojole said: "I understand the perspective of wanting to leverage the growth of padel, it absolutely makes economic sense, but it should not be done at the expense of the existing, thriving, indoor tennis community." Advertisement Wheelchair user Ivan Vershigora said wheelchair tennis was his highlight of the week. "I feel very sad about them converting the indoor courts to padel because the tennis is like a very fun sport to do, especially if you are in a wheelchair." The courts helped Isaac, aged eight, reach national championship standard [BBC] Playing outdoors in winter would be difficult because of poor weather, said Mr Vershigora. He would though, he added, try padel. The courts helped eight-year-old Isaac reach national championship standard. He said: "The indoor courts are really important because you can't really practise in the winter because it is very rainy and cold." Omosuyi Fred-Omojole says facilitating the increasing popularity of padel should not be done at the expense of the "thriving tennis community" [BBC] The venue has six outdoor tennis courts in addition to the four indoor courts, which will not be affected by the changes. Advertisement Mr Dawson said by converting the indoor courts into padel ones, it will mean the centre, which also has two hockey pitches, will be more beneficial to more people. "We'll have three sports rather than two, which means more people can get fit, can get well, can meet in a social setting," he said. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to More about padel
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
London 2012 tennis courts to make way for padel
Tennis courts built for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are to be replaced with padel courts in a move that has infuriated tennis plan is to turn four indoor tennis courts at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in north-east London into nine courts for the emerging racquet sport - which is a blend of tennis and Dawson, boss of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, where Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre is, insisted the changes were essential.A petition against the plan has attracted more than 1,500 signatures. Mr Dawson said: "We need to make sure these great public assets, these great public Olympic venues are relevant for a wider section of the population."So we are very much responding to trends... here we are 13 years on from the Games and we need to make sure these legacy venues continue to deliver." But the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) called the plans "particularly disappointing". It said: "The LTA and Tennis Foundation invested half a million pounds in the original tennis facility which is an important legacy from the London 2012 Paralympics."The courts are still heavily used with over 700 children on the programme, 100,000 players accessing the facilities each year, a thriving disability programme and links to local schools." Tennis player Kimberly Schreiber called the scheme an "insult".She said: "What is disappointing is that this decision to replace our indoor courts is that it has been done with no public consultation, and it's just really an insult to the vibrant and diverse community that this tennis centre supports." Omosuyi Fred-Omojole said: "I understand the perspective of wanting to leverage the growth of padel, it absolutely makes economic sense, but it should not be done at the expense of the existing, thriving, indoor tennis community."Wheelchair user Ivan Vershigora said wheelchair tennis was his highlight of the week. "I feel very sad about them converting the indoor courts to padel because the tennis is like a very fun sport to do, especially if you are in a wheelchair." Playing outdoors in winter would be difficult because of poor weather, said Mr Vershigora. He would though, he added, try courts helped eight-year-old Isaac reach national championship standard. He said: "The indoor courts are really important because you can't really practise in the winter because it is very rainy and cold." The venue has six outdoor tennis courts in addition to the four indoor courts, which will not be affected by the Dawson said by converting the indoor courts into padel ones, it will mean the centre, which also has two hockey pitches, will be more beneficial to more people. "We'll have three sports rather than two, which means more people can get fit, can get well, can meet in a social setting," he said.
Globe and Mail
09-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Readers offer their picks for Buying Canadian
Rod Sheridan enjoys an evening lounging in his Toronto home, skimming the Lee Valley Tools 2025 product catalogue – or what his wife jokingly calls 'tool porn.' He's a loyal customer of the family-owned Canadian company that's been selling woodworking and home repair tools, gardening items, and kitchenware for more than 45 years. And he's one of many patriotic shoppers who are advocating for Canadian brands amid the current U.S.-Canada trade war. When The Globe launched its Buy Canadian Guide this winter, it received more than 300 reader recommendations for Canadian-made products, ranging from artisan pyjamas from Bowen Island to iceberg-infused skincare from Newfoundland. 'At a time when we're worrying about trade with unreliable partners and the economic costs of tariffs, Lee Valley actually [makes] products that enable you to [save],' Mr. Sheridan said. The Big Guide to Canadian Shopping The retired electrical technologist and woodworking enthusiast recalls the time he bought a try-square from Lee Valley made of rosewood with a brass insert. 'It was gorgeous,' he said while sitting in his living room, admiring the hardwood floors and the various furniture he's made over the years – all with supplies purchased from Lee Valley. Mr. Sheridan also points to the environmental benefits of buying quality-made Canadian goods. 'We're filling the landfill up with junk,' he said. 'My mom had one kettle during her lifetime [and] it's actually recyclable because it's stainless steel, so it could get smelted down, [not like] the $20 plastic one you buy at Walmart.' And when it comes to food, folks like Mr. Sheridan know how to make do with what they have. 'I probably never had a kiwi or an avocado until I was an adult,' he said. 'Apples survive the winter [so] we had apples since we could grow them.' Accessing quality produce year-round isn't an issue for Jennifer Panek however, who's been frequenting the Ottawa Farmers' Market since the threat of tariffs. 'I'm definitely trying to avoid U.S. products quite deliberately,' she said. 'I'm someone who's gone almost completely local for food.' Ms. Panek supports local producers whenever she can including artisan chocolate makers like Toronto-based ChocoSol whose fresh bean-to-bar products can be found in natural food stores and online, even through monthly subscriptions. Despite living in an urban area, there are items that are hard to source for Ms. Panek. 'Medium-grain rice seems to be all imported from the U.S. even at local Asian grocery stores,' she said. Vancouver resident Angela Tai has several suggestions for those looking for Asian-Canadian products. One of her beloved brands is Sunrise Soya Foods, a family-owned and operated business from Vancouver that makes a wide range of soy products, including desserts and beverages. With a goal 'to have tofu in every fridge in Canada,' its products are now readily available at major grocery stores. Opinion: Forget 'Buy Canadian.' 'Travel Canadian' is actually making a difference Businesses too are celebrating the 'Buy Canadian' movement and seeing an uptick in patriotic customers. Take for example, Canadian burger chain, A&W, with some of their 1,050 franchisees across the country changing their logo to 'Eh & W.' 'We're hearing from our guests that they're coming to A&W because we are a Canadian business and they want to support us,' the company said in an e-mail statement. The continuing economic uncertainty has amplified efforts by businesses to champion Canadian products. For instance, grocery retailer Save-On-Foods has displayed 'Product of Canada' and 'Made in Canada' signs on store shelves and added a 'Shop Canadian' page on their online platform. (Other grocery chains are using similar approaches.) The company which operates 187 Save-On-Foods locations across Western Canada, sources products from more than 2,000 local suppliers, and has seen a noticeable shift in customers choosing Canadian options first, according to Ben Harrack, senior vice-president for owner Pattison Food Group. 'We have definitely seen an increase in demand for Canadian products within our stores,' he said. Despite the proliferation of Buy Canadian branding, some consumers still struggle to find domestic products in certain categories. Cathy Farr of Guelph, Ont., has been disappointed to find out that most everyday items for her pets are imported from the U.S. 'Has this country fallen so far down that we have to import kitty litter? I'm pretty sure I could go and dig some sand out of the backyard,' she said. Writing letters to retailers and making the extra effort to source Canadian goods has become a hobby for the 75-year-old. She's managed to find one Canadian brand, Green Beaver that makes all-natural personal care products. Her favourites are their mint hand soap, citrus deodorant, and cinnamon toothpaste. Ms. Farr sees buying Canadian as a way of contributing to her community that she foresees being hit hard by auto tariffs. 'I wish I had the means to buy a steel plant, but the way I look at it is, if enough Canadians buy enough Canadian-made products, whether it's a tube of toothpaste or hand soap, then the owner of that company can maybe buy a new truck,' she said. For Mr. Sheridan, the tariff war is about consciously stopping purchases from U.S. companies too. '[Tariffs] are not things you take lightly,' he said. 'Once somebody shows you what they're like, believe them.'
Buzz Feed
04-03-2025
- Business
- Buzz Feed
23 Canadian Brands That Are So Elite, They Make American Versions Look Like Sad Participation Trophies
I'm sure you've heard the news: President Trump's tariffs are coming into effect today. Which, for us Canadians, primarily means that American goods are about to get a WHOLE lot more expensive. Although I love me some American chocolate, let's be honest: Canadian goods can be just as great, if not BETTER. And lucky for us, Reddit users recently shared their favourite made-in-Canada companies — so now it's time to spotlight some of them. 1. " Lee Valley, for tools and other things." — artofdrink "Their flagship tool brand Veritas Tools is excellent, and made in Canada. I hope that doesn't change. I don't mind spending extra for made in Canada if they preserve the quality." – qpv 3. " HAWKINS CHEEZIES!" — leetrain "American companies have tried to buy it, then tried to replicate it, but Hawkins is still the only good Cheezie." – BigComfyCouch4 4. "I try to go out of my way to ensure I'm getting Chapman's Ice Cream when I can." "It's hard not to want to support a company that makes doing the right thing just seem like the smart and obvious thing." — vafrow 5. " Home Hardware. It's been around 60 years, and all their dealers are members of your community. It is truly one of the last full-blown Canadian companies." "When you shop there, 100% of your business goes to employ someone in your community. They also give donations back to their respective communities." — RelationshipKind7695 6. " Kawartha Dairy, for their quality ice cream." — Babuiski 8. " Stanfield's underwear. Made in Truro, Nova Scotia." — GoldenDragonWind 9. " Canadian North, an 100% Inuit-owned airline. Serves many of the fly-in communities of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut." "Brings us our food and flies us to the south. Jointly owned by the Inuvialuit and Makivvik." — CBWeather 10. " Naked and Famous Denim, out of Montreal. The denim is woven in Japan, but the fabric is cut and sewn in Montreal. Never thought I would be the guy to pay more than $50 for a pair of jeans, but now I understand." "These jeans have been more comfortable and lasted longer than any of the mainstream brands I owned in the past." — UncleToyBox 11. " Paradigm and Anthem, for speakers and home audio." — Rich- Map7737 "I have four 30-year-old Paradigm speakers in my house. They are still driving my neighbours crazy with my music 🎼 😇." – CptDawg 14. "I really like Muttonhead Apparel. The majority of their clothes are made in Canada, and some are made in New York." "It costs a bit more but the quality is really good and the clothes last." — Historical_Score_573 15. "Some people don't realize this but A&W Canada is a completely separate and independent company from A&W America. A&W Canada is 100% Canadian-owned and operated." — Metal_Oak 17. " Rocky Mountain Soap Company, made in Canmore, Alberta. They have locations across many areas in Canada now. It's the only stuff to not make my skin have serious reactions." — ElderberryPast8054 18. " Covered Bridge Potato Chips, which is based in New Brunswick." — Fearless_Scratch7905 19. " This is J. They're based in Toronto. They sell the most comfortable articles of clothing I've worn in my entire life." — sleepyboi08 20. " Laiterie de Coaticook Ltée in Quebec. They make dairy products without additives." — Any-Board-6631 21. " DeSerres. Fine art supply company out of Montreal started in 1908-ish." "Mostly Quebec stores, but Halifax, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Toronto have them, too. They have some Canadian-made products (cheaper to manufacture elsewhere)." — lixdix68 22. " Buttercream Clothing! Everything is so soft, comfortable and they have a range from lazy wear to work wear (mostly women's, though my husband loves his tees and baseball tees from them)." "It's all handmade here in Alberta, and everything holds up so well. I don't hand-wash, but I do hang to dry. The leggings and sweaters I bought in 2020 are still doing great with minimal fade. They're also really nice folks." — plausibleturtle 23. "I discovered Lasclay this year. It's all made in Canada. They do lunch boxes, toque, scarfs, etc. — all insulated with milkweed." "My feet are always frozen in the winter, so I bought their insulated sole. It was a game-changer. 10 times would recommend." – BananeDionne
