Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., and pickleball court development is the biggest opportunity. But building your own pickleball facility requires more than just courts and nets. Many aspiring facility owners find themselves overwhelmed by the ins-and-outs of development, operations, and long-term sustainability when starting a pickleball business.
This is where Johns Design & Consulting (JDC) sets itself apart. Unlike traditional consultants who might hand you a blueprint and walk away, JDC offers comprehensive independent pickleball facility consulting with a partnership-based approach.
Led by professional players and industry experts, Ben and Collin Johns, our team brings unmatched expertise and a passion for pickleball to every project. We work closely with you at every stage of the pickleball court development process, from initial concept to grand opening and beyond, tailoring our services to your unique vision, market, and community needs.
In this pickleball court construction guide, we'll walk you through the JDC way of building a pickleball facility—a process that combines rigorous market analysis, innovative design, and a deep understanding of what makes pickleball communities thrive.
What Are The Steps To Building A Pickleball Facility?
#1 Initial Idea And Pro Forma
The journey begins with your idea. Many of our clients come to us looking for a fun new venture in life. They’re typically owner-operators or small partner groups that may or may not need to raise capital. Before ever swinging a hammer, the first step is to create a financial pro forma to see if the concept makes sense on paper.
We use a proven exercise to help you determine whether your facility will cater to first touch players—those new to the sport—or the more serious, everyday players who seek advanced play. Understanding this distinction shapes everything else and ensures your pro forma aligns with the needs of your target customers.
Here are a couple key factors we consider:
Membership Structure
We'll explore different models that might fit your market–like unlimited play memberships versus discounted court rate memberships.
The right choice depends on your local demographics and player preferences. We’ve found that pickleball players can be remarkably price-sensitive, and even a $5 per person swing in court fees is a make or break for many.
Market & Saturation Analysis
We dive deep into your local market, looking at factors such as population density, household income, and the current pickleball landscape in your area. This analysis also includes other pickleball facilities and recreational opportunities that affect the competitive “moat” around your facility.
Our research shows that a market can typically support about 20 indoor courts per 100,000 people without saturation. We use this as a starting point to gauge your market's potential.
The ultimate goal during this initial phase is to ensure your concept isn't just exciting, but financially viable and positioned for long-term success.
Real Estate Considerations
Although managing a pickleball club may appear to have minimal payroll costs, the significant expense of renting a large facility can be a heavy financial burden. In some markets, the high cost of real estate makes indoor pickleball venues financially nonviable.
Entering into a lease agreement that exceeds the club’s budget can place operators in a challenging financial position from the start, creating a steep deficit they need to overcome as they begin their operations.
#2 Site Selection
Not every space is suitable for pickleball. At JDC, we take a comprehensive approach to site selection, considering market factors listed above and the physical characteristics of the space, such as:
Accessibility: We have found that players drive an average of 22 minutes to a pickleball facility, so we look at locations within this range, with good visibility and ample parking.
Space requirements: We assess whether the space can accommodate proper court sizes, ceiling heights, and necessary amenities.
Building condition: We evaluate the existing structure for potential challenges in conversion, such as lighting, floor condition, columns, HVAC systems, and sound mitigation needs.
Community spaces: Recognizing that pickleball is inherently social, we ensure the facility includes social areas for chatting and watching games.
Our comprehensive site selection process helps avoid costly mistakes and sets the stage for a successful build-out. You can read more about site selection here.
#3 Lease Negotiation
While JDC doesn't directly handle lease negotiations, we can provide guidance to ensure your lease protects your interests as a pickleball company.
We encourage operators to:
Consult with a legal professional: Have a real estate lawyer review the lease to ensure it aligns with your business objectives and protects your rights.
Consider key provisions: Be aware of essential lease terms, such as rent structure, use restrictions, tenant improvements, signage rights, utilities, exit strategies, and contingency plans.
Avoid common pitfalls: One of the most common mistakes we see is rushing into a lease without careful consideration of location, terms, and market conditions.
By following JDC's recommendations and consulting with a legal expert, you can negotiate a favorable lease that sets you up for long-term success.
#4 Construction And Build-Out
JDC collaborates with trusted partners in construction, lighting, and technology to ensure a seamless and efficient build-out process. This is where all of our hard work and planning pays off.
During the construction process, we:
Oversee the build-out process: JDC works directly with your contractor, architect, and our partners to ensure your facility meets industry standards and our agreed-upon design.
Work with trusted partners: We have established relationships with some key partners in the industry, including LSI Lighting, PodPlay Technologies, Joola Pickleball, Acrytech (Cushion X), and sound mitigation experts.
Create custom solutions: Poor lighting is one of the biggest complaints in pickleball, so we worked with LSI Lighting to create a custom lighting array that diffuses light across the courts and eliminates shadows.
Improve player experiences with feature recommendations: Playing pickleball on concrete is hard on the body. We really like the Cushion X technology from Acrytech, a four millimeter thick cushion pad that goes underneath the pickleball courts. Our clients see that it's a lot softer on joints, and players are able to play longer.
Check out this video of a recent demo as we prepare to build out our very first autonomous (self-operating) pickleball facility in New York.
#5 Branding And Website
JDC collaborates with clients to develop a unique brand identity that reflects their vision, target audience, and the facility’s personality–whether whimsical or professional. JDC facilities benefit from our expert marketing staff with:
Custom branding package: Elements include a logo, color palette, typography, and messaging.
Professional website: We design and develop a custom website, optimized for search engines.
Advertising efforts: Our marketing experts drive traffic to the site through Google ads and social media marketing.
Integration of PodPlay: One of the most important things every pickleball website should have is a clear, easy way to book a court. JDC integrates PodPlay's white-label booking system into the facility's website for a streamlined user experience. PodPlay’s user-friendly interface lets players book within seconds and is simple to use, from any device.
By leveraging PodPlay's technology and JDC's expertise in branding and website development, operators can create a strong online presence and attract new members.
Check out this quick demo video of PodPlay's user experience.
#6 Staffing And Programming
The quality of your staff and programming affects everything in your facility, from player engagement to revenue from coaching sessions. When hiring coaches, JDC looks at:
Personality: Coaches who are passionate, enthusiastic, and have a positive attitude help set the tone in your facility.
Experience: Coaches with experience in pickleball, tennis, or other racquet sports are preferred.
Diligence: A commitment to continuous learning is essential for coaches to stay updated on the latest techniques and strategies.
RPO Certification
JDC offers RPO coaching certification to provide coaches with comprehensive training and development. Here’s why that matters to operators and players:
Four tiers of certification: Tiers include, Community, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, each with increasing requirements and expertise. Choosing the appropriate certification level depends on the facility's target audience, and higher-tier certified coaches may be better suited for facilities with more experienced players or those offering advanced programs.
Consistent standards: RPO certification establishes a common standard for pickleball coaching so that players receive consistent instruction, regardless of the facility or coach they work with.
Access to expert knowledge: RPO-certified coaches have access to the latest techniques and strategies developed by leading pickleball experts. This ensures players receive high-quality instruction and guidance.
Programming
The quality of programming in a pickleball facility can make or break it, especially in the first 90 days as operators work to figure out what players want. JDC makes this easier through:
Tailored programming: We help develop programming that meets the needs and preferences of your target audience.
Varied programming options: Most facilities benefit from a smart mix of open play, drop-ins, round robins, leagues, tournaments, clinics, and private lessons.
By investing in quality staffing and offering a diverse range of programs, JDC helps facility operators create a vibrant and engaging environment for players of all levels.
#7 Grand Opening
JDC certified facilities benefit from a grand opening strategy that generates buzz and attracts new members. Key elements of a grand opening include:
Celebrity appearances: Ben and Collin Johns will personally attend the grand opening event.
Social media campaign: A pre-opening campaign on Ben and Collin’s social media accounts will get the word out and build anticipation.
Community engagement: On-site clinics, meet-and-greets, and friendly matches will foster a sense of community and attract potential members.
Marketing and advertising: Leveraging social media, targeted ads, and pickleball group outreach will get the most eyes on your grand opening event.
A well-executed grand opening can create a great first impression and set the stage for successful member onboarding.
#8 Ongoing Support
Every facility JDC opens receives 12 months of support to ensure they get off to a great start. After that, facilities can continue with monthly operational support if they choose. Realistically, if operators still need significant support after the 12 month mark, we haven’t done our job–which is to set up every JDC facility for lasting success.
Some of the support JDC provides in the first 12 months includes:
Programming tweaks: The first 90 days is a critical time frame to dial in a facility’s programming. Our programming experts and coaches will help you fine-tune your programs and teach you how to pivot to meet your members’ needs.
Marketing assistance: Ongoing marketing and advertising guidance helps you maintain visibility and attract new members.
Social media management: Assistance with managing social media accounts to engage with the community and promote your facility.
Community outreach: Support for community events and initiatives to strengthen your connection with local pickleball players.
Member retention strategies: Guidance on implementing effective member retention programs to keep members happy and engaged.
Partner With JDC To Turn Your Pickleball Vision Into Reality
Starting a pickleball business requires careful planning, expert knowledge, and a partner who understands the unique challenges of this growing sport. Johns Design & Consulting offers a comprehensive approach to pickleball court development, from seed idea to grand opening and beyond. Our team of experts provides tailored solutions that consider your local market, target audience, and long-term goals.
Contact us today for a consultation and take the first step towards creating a thriving pickleball community in your area.