Playing paddle tennis on the four new courts at Puebla’s Parque del Arte comes with a price tag of 300 to 400 pesos per rental, according to Michelle Talavera Herrera, director of Conventions and Parks. She emphasized that the courts were built through nearly 9 million pesos of private investment, with no state government funds involved.

This private funding operates under a concession model: the investor financed the construction and will manage the sports complex for about five to six years. Meanwhile, the state government receives a monthly payment and will regain ownership of the infrastructure once the contract ends.

Talavera Herrera told Cinco Radio that the rental fees align with current market rates for paddle tennis, a sport growing in popularity across Mexico. Importantly, she stressed that access to the Parque del Arte itself remains free; only specific activities like paddle court rentals require payment.

Looking ahead, this public-private partnership model is set to expand to other state parks, including Parque Ecológico, Ecoparque Metropolitano, and Ex Hacienda de Chautla. The director explained that factors such as user profiles, park locations, and available space will determine the feasibility of new sports facilities. The goal is to leverage private investment to enhance sports infrastructure without burdening public finances.

In addition to new courts, Puebla plans to boost park safety and usability. Starting in the coming weeks, over 900 new lights will be installed across 18 state parks, along with a video surveillance system to protect visitors during early mornings and evenings. These improvements are part of Governor Alejandro Armenta’s broader strategy to rehabilitate parks and create safer, more functional spaces for recreation and sports.

Beyond rentals, the paddle courts will offer free classes and community events. On Friday, Talavera Herrera announced the “Regálale Vida a tus Días” program, which will provide free Sunday activities such as dance and boxing classes, plus traveling bazaars in various state parks. The concessionaire will also run paddle clinics, specialized courses, and physiotherapy services to encourage more locals to take up the sport.

This approach highlights how private investment can complement public efforts to expand recreational opportunities, making sports like paddle tennis more accessible while maintaining free access to green spaces for all.