BEYOND THE FIELD
COURT BUILDING TRENDS In recent years, the landscape of court building has seen exciting and innovative trends, especially in pickleball. New facilities are emerging in non-traditional locations, transforming unexpected spaces into vibrant pickleball hubs. Existing hard courts are being converted to pickleball courts, maximizing available space and resources. Where space allows, adding bays of pickleball courts to existing tennis locations helps avoid conflicts with tennis players.
Multi-court facilities, which include basketball, tennis and pickleball courts with shared social areas, are also gaining traction. These versatile complexes cater to various sports enthusiasts and foster community engagement. Additionally, older indoor gyms are being repurposed for pickleball, providing weatherproof environments for year-round play.
These trends reflect the dynamic nature of court building, driven by the growing popularity of pickleball and the desire to create inclusive, multi-functional recreational spaces.
SITING PICKLEBALL COURTS Siting pickleball courts involves careful planning to ensure optimal playability, safety and visibility. A flat, level surface— preferably asphalt or concrete— is crucial. The court should be oriented north-south to minimize sun glare. Adequate surrounding space is also essential.
For the surface, choose a hard surface such as asphalt, concrete or synthetic. The official court size is 44 feet long by 20 feet wide. Consider adding extra space around the court for player movement and spectators. A minimum total play area of 30 by 60 feet is recommended by USA Pickleball, with a 10-foot surrounding margin ideal.
Other things to consider when locating pickleball courts include, but are not limited to: Existing facilities and constraints Reuse of existing courts( most sustainable process)
Location in the community Accessibility— ADA and general access / distance to available or proposed parking The need for additional walkways to the courts for players and spectators The need for additional parking Noise concerns Proximity to abutters Potential conversion or ease of implementation Surface and subsurface considerations Need for landscaping or buffer areas Wind considerations Available utilities or new infrastructure Access for construction vehicles Number of courts that will fit on the site
As mentioned previously, reusing existing underused courts or incorporating pickleball courts into an existing facility where other athletic venues exist can be the most cost-effective and sustainable solution for adding pickleball courts. When courts are added to existing facilities, there may be a potential need for added infrastructure such as parking, pathways, support buildings, shade shelters or other amenities. However, if these elements are not already available, it could also present an opportunity to add much-needed support features to an existing park. Creating a new facility would require adding some or all of these elements to the project. As with development practices, using an already disturbed site where pavement and buildings exist is also sustainable and beneficial. It may require added cost for building demolition and site preparation; however, it is an environmental win sportsfieldmanagementonline. com June 2025 | SportsField Management
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