Pickleball Court Construction: A Guide

The popularity of pickleball has exploded in the United States in recent years. People love that it’s an engaging, low-impact way to exercise and spend time with their friends. More and more communities are installing courts in their parks or converting tennis courts and other areas into pickleball courts.

Looking to Build a Pickleball Court?

Pickleball courts aren’t just great for fun and exercise—they can also contribute to the overall health of the community.

A pickleball court can become a social hub that brings people to your town’s park or community center. After a game, players may stop downtown to do some shopping and get a bite to eat. Larger, professionally built, and designed pickleball courts may host tournaments or leagues that can bring spectators, which further drive community and economic engagement.

Improving your local park or community center with pickleball courts and other amenities can also make your town more attractive to potential developers who are interested in building housing or apartments. It can also raise the value of local homes in the area.

All of these benefits and more have led many communities to start their own funding projects to pay for pickleball court construction, and they’ve received help from groups such as the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Pickleball Court Construction Specifications

The first step in building a pickleball court is deciding where to put it. Many pickleball courts are repurposed from unused tennis courts or park areas that have fallen into disrepair. Indoor pickleball courts can be a great option for keeping play going during the Michigan winter, though they can be more expensive. Also, some people like pickleball for the opportunity to be outside, so it’s good to offer both options if possible.

Having a topographic survey completed will help you better understand the landscape for a potential pickleball court installation, as well as give you an idea of what the project will look like.

The next step is to map out what your pickleball court will look like. The official play space of a pickleball court is 20’x44’, though it is recommended that the court surface be at least 30’x60’ to be safer for your players. A professional pickleball court construction company can measure out and lay down the lines dividing the court into service boxes and non-volley zones, according to the official rules.

The surface is also a key part of your pickleball court installation. Asphalt, clay, and concrete are popular options for a durable and smooth playing surface, though polyurethane, rubber, and similar materials can provide more cushioning for your players.

How Much Does Pickleball Court Construction Cost?

The cost of building a pickleball court will depend on several factors, including what the construction area looks like, the type of materials used, and the size of the project. There are also additional factors to consider, such as the lighting, fencing, bleachers, bathrooms, and other amenities that you may add to your courts.

Outdoor courts tend to have lower construction costs, ranging from about $20,000 to $50,000 depending on the site preparation and chosen materials. Building an indoor court in an existing facility can cost a bit more, and estimates can range from $30,000 to $60,000. The cost of commercial pickleball court construction can also be higher than a community project. If you’re planning to build multiple courts in the same area, you can save some money by doing the work all at once.

When you work with an experienced pickleball court construction company, they’ll be able to give you expert recommendations that will work best for your budget and your needs.

Looking for a Pickleball Court Construction Company?

At Fleis & VandenBrink, we understand the unique requirements of pickleball court construction for local communities. Our team of experts combines technical knowledge with a passion for creating engaging recreational spaces, and we love building strong relationships with the communities that we work with.

Our services encompass the entire construction process, from site analysis and design to construction management and post-construction support. We also work hard to help communities obtain grants or low-interest loans for their projects.

Our team has worked on several pickleball court construction projects, including one in Big Rapids that also included refurbishing existing tennis courts and the construction of basketball courts, a barrier-free kayak launch, and a splash pad. F&V provided topographic survey, as well as permitting and design engineering services for the project, and we also partnered with the City of Big Rapids to manage and oversee the construction.

The improved park has enhanced the quality of life for residents of the community, especially students in the nearby elementary school. Business leaders also anticipate the improvements will bring more visitors to Big Rapids’ downtown district, which is just a block away from the park.

Tell Us About Your Project

Ready to start designing or constructing your pickleball court? Fleis & VandenBrink is here to help. Tell us about your project, and we’ll show you our experienced team can make it a reality.