If you live in Los Angeles, then you know pickleball. It’s no longer a trendy game played by millennials and their parents. It’s taken over the city. 

In a city where space is tight, the game has taken off. The decision to convert an old tennis court into pickleball courts offers one of the most economical means to serve additional participants without increasing your footprint.

Why Los Angeles Is Prime For PickleBall

What makes Los Angeles a unique pickleball hub is that it’s a combination of mild weather with high-density neighborhoods and high demand for recreation. During off-peak hours, tennis courts can lie largely unused, while pickleball courts are in constant demand. When you convert your tennis courts to pickleball, you will see:

• More players per hour
• Improved utilization of public and private courts
• Lower long-term maintenance costs
• Increased property and community value

For HOAs, churches, schools and city parks, this conversion practically solves a very real space problem without costly construction.

Pickleball Diamond and Tennis Court Conversion Suggestions

You could fit up a half dozen pickleball courts on one standard tennis court if you really wanted to. However, you have to give folks some space.

Common Conversion Layouts

• 1 Pickleball Court: Perfect for private residences or clubs wanting to sustain tennis playing opportunities
• 2 Pickleball Courts: Compromise for shared use of tennis and pickleball
• 4 pickleball courts: Preferable for public parks and high traffic LA locations

Pickleball courts are 20ft x 44ft and can fit onto an existing tennis court, allowing for easy and safe player maneuverability.

Striping and Line Marking: What’s Best in LA

In L.A., being seen, and seeing well, are important. Permanent painted pickleball lines are a popular option for facilities; very few in sunnier, high-use environments demand tape these days.

Best practices include:

• Contrasting colors: Keep users from confusing with tennis lines
• UV-resistant, fade-resistant court paint 
• Acrylic, non-skid surface for safety of the players 

Temporary line tape is not recommended in the hot summer sun of LA and long hours of play. They will simply peel off. 

Nets and Equipment Considerations

Pickleball nets are shorter than tennis nets:

• 36 inches at the sidelines
• 34 inches at center

A lot of Los Angeles conversions are using portable pickleball nets, especially for multipurpose courts. Permanent net posts are great for a dedicated pickleball facility or resurfaced courts.

Noise, Neighbors, and Local Sensitivities

Noise is one of the top issues in pickleball conversions in Los Angeles. The sound of pickleball paddles, in particular, can be piercing.

Smart solutions include:

• Limiting play hours
• Investing in sound reducing fencing and/or wind screens
• Quieter paddle and ball pairings
• Siting courts away from homes wherever feasible

Get noise sorted out from the beginning and you won’t suffer complaints or have a rough time getting long-term residency.

Temporary Conversions vs. Permanent Pickleball Courts

Temporary conversions work well for:

• Schools
• Shared tennis/pickleball facilities
• Budget-limited projects

Permanent conversions are best for:

• Public parks
• HOAs with strong pickleball demand
• Clubs transitioning away from tennis

Permanent conversions significantly improve the quality of play, while reducing cracking and maintenance costs over the life cycle.

Cost Expectations in Los Angeles

Not sure how much to spend on pickleball? Here’s a look at the various ways you can convert your tennis court, according to cost: 

• Low cost: Striping and portable nets
• Mid range: Painting and partial resurfacing
• High end: Total resurfacing, fencing, lighting enhancements

The cost of labor and construction permits in your area can also impact what you pay, so choosing a Southern California contractor is important.

Converting tennis courts to pickleball in Los Angeles isn’t just a fad. It’s an entirely reasonable adaptation to the way people are using recreational space these days. With the proper layout, arrangements and scheduling, a single underused tennis court could be converted into a thriving pickleball center that would host more people than the tennis court does during the entire year.

Ready to convert your tennis court for pickleball? Give us a call. Our pickleball court specialists are here to give you a free quote.