How to build pickleball courts in your community (2023)

So you’ve caught the pickleball bug—and now you really wish your community would build some outdoor pickleball courts.

Who can blame you? It’s a great way for people of all ages and skill levels to get fit, socialize, and have fun. Everyone should have a chance to play!

Luckily, figuring out a way to build pickleball courts in your community is easier than you might think.

With a few simple steps and a little bit of effort, you can bring the joy of pickleball to your neighborhood and create a safe and fun environment for people to enjoy.

From finding funding and gathering support in your area to choosing materials and getting going with construction, here’s how to build new pickleball courts in your community.

Overview: The 9 Steps to building community pickleball courts

1. Research the rules and regulations around outdoor activities in your community.
   
2. Draft a proposal for the installation of pickleball courts.
   
3. Reach out to local leaders, city council members, and parks & recreation departments to discuss your proposal.
   
4. Gather public support for the project by talking to neighbors and friends, scheduling public meetings, and circulating an online petition (neighborhood Facebook groups can really come in handy here!).
   
5. Identify potential locations for the new courts and present them to the community for feedback.
   
6. Prepare a budget for construction costs and any associated fees. Consider applying for grants or looking for sponsorships to help build the pickleball courts.
   
7. Submit an official request to the relevant authorities with all necessary documents attached.
   
8. Work with city officials to ensure that all safety parameters are being met while building the courts.
   
9. Ensure that the courts are open and accessible to everyone in the community.

Looking to DIY your community pickleball court and build it yourself? These guides can help you:

Grants for community pickleball courts

There are plenty of grants available for building community pickleball courts.

Depending on your location, pickleball court construction grants may be offered at the federal, state, local or community level. To apply for a grant, start by researching potential grantmaking organizations, researching their requirements for funding, and applying for a grant that fits the criteria for your project.

You will then need to fill out an application form, provide supporting documentation such as a business plan or budget, and make a presentation to the grantmakers outlining the need, design, construction and operations of your proposed pickleball court. After submitting your application you will be notified whether you have been successful in receiving funds.

USA Pickleball offers two grant application opportunities: the Youth & Collegiate Grant and the Community Grant. The Community Grant Program offers USA Pickleball members $250 to purchase pickleball equipment for specific start-up locations.

Community Benefits of pickleball courts

Pickleball courts can be a great asset to your community. Not only do they provide a place for people to gather and exercise together, but they also create opportunities for social interaction and community bonding.

The game of pickleball has the potential to bridge generations and provide a healthy activity for older people, as well as a place for children to play. It doesn’t require much equipment and is easy to learn, making it a great option for those who are looking to get into sports.

These courts are also relatively inexpensive to build and maintain, and can bring a sense of pride and ownership to the community that takes part in their construction. In addition, building pickleball courts can create jobs in the area, since they require contracting and supplies. This could be beneficial to the local economy and help to revitalize small communities.

Pickleball courts can thus be seen as an investment in both physical and mental health, bringing people together through the joy of sport and creating a sense of community.

How much does it cost to build an outdoor pickleball court?

The cost to build an outdoor pickleball court will depend on a variety of factors, including the number of courts, the type of surface you choose to use, and any features you wish to include (e.g. lights, windscreens, etc.).

Generally speaking, you can expect to spend anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 on materials, with construction costs ranging from $1,500 to $10,000, depending on the complexity of the project.

If you pay for a contractor to do the work, the costs will be higher. But if you are able to do the manual labor yourself and purchase the necessary materials, you can minimize the cost of building an outdoor pickleball court. There are many companies across the U.S. that can build outdoor pickleball courts for you, including SportMaster, the preferred partner of USA Pickleball.

Key Takeaways

Building a pickleball court in your community is an exciting way to promote physical activity and encourage people to get together and have fun.

The process may seem daunting at first, but with the right resources, funding, and some help from your local government, it’s definitely doable.

Whether you want to build the court alone or with the support of your community, the key is to get started. With patience and dedication, you can soon be playing on the best pickleball court in town!