Controversy over Bekasi Padel Court Development Attributed to Miscommunication

Bekasi — The controversy surrounding the construction of a padel court on Jalan Caman Raya, Jatibening Kelurahan, Pondok Gede, Bekasi City, has been described as being triggered by miscommunication in the socialisation process with the school and the surrounding community.

Head of UPTD Pengawasan Bangunan Wilayah VI Bekasi City, Yanwar Rochman, said the padel court operator had actually conducted socialisation through the local RT head. However, this information apparently did not reach Asshodriyah Islamic School (AIS) or the local kelurahan.

According to Yanwar, the communication issue prompted objections from the school and a number of parents who fear the sporting activity will disrupt teaching and learning. Of particular concern were potential noise, construction dust, and student safety in the school environment.

In response to these worries, the operator is said to have committed to building a sound-damping system so that activities in the sports area do not disturb the surrounding environment. ‘They have given assurances that a wall board or similar soundproofing will be installed to render it acoustically sealed,’ Yanwar said.

In addition, the operator is said to have obtained a number of technical recommendations from relevant agencies, including a traffic impact assessment (Andalalin) from the Department of Transportation and environmental documents. ‘The padel side must follow the directions and recommendations from the Department of Transportation related to traffic,’ he said.

‘For now, it has been temporarily paused while the situation and conditions, as well as issues related to its implementation, are assessed,’ Arief said.

Arief explained that, in terms of planning rules, the construction of the padel court is permissible because it sits in a commercial and services area in line with the Detailed Spatial Plan (RDTR). Nevertheless, the regional government asks all parties to maintain the surrounding environment so that ongoing construction does not raise new issues. ‘The bottom line is that everyone should respect one another and protect the environment so that everything can proceed as hoped,’ Arief said.

Earlier reports indicated that the plan to build the padel court near the Asshodriyah Islamic School drew objections from the school and some parents. The presence of the sporting facility was feared to disrupt students’ learning comfort because it is located directly opposite the school area.