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The fastest-growing sport in America isn’t volleyball, curling, or even soccer. It’s pickleball!
But you probably have an idea of how popular pickleball has gotten because you’re considering building your own court. If you’re planning to build a court in an area with demand and not much competition, you’re in for a successful business venture.
Reference this guide to learn about:
- Dimensions
- Indoor vs. outdoor court considerations
- Cost expectations
- And more!
Pickleball Court Specifications
There’s a common misconception that pickleball courts are the same as tennis courts. That’s the easiest way to offend a devout pickleball competitor! Pickleball courts are smaller than tennis courts, but you’ll still need plenty of space to build one.
If you want to get the most out of your investment, consider building more than one court.
Follow these court specifications set by the USA pickleball association:
- Court dimensions: 20 by 44 feet (applicable for both singles and doubles play)
- Playing area: 30 by 60 feet (can be up to 34 by 64 feet for tournament play)
- Net height: 36 inches at the sidelines, 34 inches in the middle
You’ll need to decide if you want to build pickleball courts for recreational play or for tournaments. If you intend to hold tournaments at your venue, be sure your courts are up to tournament specifications.
As you design the layout for a multi-court complex, be sure to keep accessibility in mind. Position the courts and gates in a way that people don’t have to cross over another court to get to their court.
Indoor or Outdoor Courts? That Is the Question 🤔
Are you going to build an indoor pickleball complex? Or add outdoor courts near a local park? Many entrepreneurs get stuck on this question because there are pros and cons to both options.
At the end of the day, your local climate is going to be the biggest consideration. Do you live in a temperate area where people enjoy frequent time outdoors? Then outdoor pickleball courts are a great option.
Or do you live somewhere that experiences cold winters? People who live in these regions are often searching for fun indoor activities in the colder months, so an indoor court or complex will be your most profitable solution.
Indoor courts are also easier to maintain and keep in good condition. This is because outdoor courts are frequently exposed to rain, hail, and the sun’s UV rays.
Court Amenities to Consider in Construction
The best pickleball courts have amenities that help players and spectators feel comfortable. Besides the court itself, consider incorporating the following amenities into your construction plan (especially for indoor courts):
- Restrooms/locker rooms
- Gear storage (cubbies, hooks, etc.)
- Benches for viewing and resting
- Parking lot
- Concession stand
- Tables outside the court
- Fences (for outdoor courts)
- Lighting (for both indoor and outdoor courts)
Court Surface Material Options
You have a few material options for the pickleball court surface. Some materials are best suited for outdoor courts, while others are ideal for indoor courts. The most popular options are:
- Asphalt: Asphalt is an affordable option for outdoor courts, but it requires frequent upkeep and repairs.
- Concrete: This is the most popular option for outdoor pickleball courts, as it’s affordable and long-lasting.
- Plastic tiles: Interlocking tiles can be used indoors and outdoors, but they are more expensive.
- Polyurethane: Polyurethane sport materials are popular to use on indoor courts— this material is also used for other types of indoor sporting courts.
Cost Considerations 💸
Your biggest concern is likely, “how much is this going to cost?” We don’t blame you— it’s on the forefront of almost every entrepreneur’s mind.
At the end of the day, your final cost will depend on how many courts you build and how many amenities you include. Plus, building an enclosed structure will cost more than building outdoor courts.
For an 8-court outdoor complex, budget for roughly $300,000 total.
Indoor pickleball courts are often constructed in warehouse-like buildings. For this project, your final costs will depend on how big of a building you want to construct because warehouse costs are configured by square footage. We recommend checking our blog on warehouse construction costs here!
How to Select a Qualified Contractor 👷
Unless you have a concrete pump truck conveniently sitting in your garage, you’ll need to hire a professional contractor to bring your vision to life.
For an outdoor pickleball court, you’ll need to partner with a concrete contractor and landscape architect. Get quotes from a few different contractors. Your final price and the length of time to complete the project will depend on details like:
- Drainage
- Grading
- Site layout
- Excavation
For building an indoor court, you’ll want to work with a general contractor that specializes in commercial construction. Building a house and building a warehouse are two very different skill sets! You may even opt to find a contractor that provides design-build services so that you don’t need to hire an outside architect.
How to Vet a Contractor
- Ask for recommendations from colleagues
- Read online reviews and testimonials
- Confirm that they’re licensed and insured
- See how long they’ve been in business
- Ensure they have a clean and professional online presence
- Assess how reliable they are with communication
- If their prices are significantly lower than other bids, they may not provide good-quality work
- Ask how they stay on time and on budget for their clients
APX Makes Construction Projects Easy 👍
We hope this guide proved helpful as you undertake building a new pickleball court. If you want to construct an indoor pickleball court in your city, you’ll need a reliable general contractor to partner with.
Luckily, APX Construction Group has been specializing in commercial construction for over 8 years! We can bring your pickleball court vision to life, all while providing friendly service and remaining on time and on budget.Contact APX today for a free consultation!
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