5 Tips for Building Community in Pickleball Facilities

The most successful pickleball facilities aren't just selling court time—they're creating communities.

At Johns Design & Consulting, we've seen a pattern in pickleball facilities across the country: Those that prioritize community building consistently outperform those focused solely on court utilization metrics. 

Players choose where to play not just based on court quality or amenities, but on where they feel a sense of belonging.

So how do you transform a collection of courts into a thriving community hub? Here are five proven strategies that our most successful facilities implement.

1. Strategic Court Layout

The physical arrangement of your courts dramatically impacts how people interact. When designing your pickleball facility layout, consider:

• Group courts in sets of three or six with central gathering areas

• Place at least four seats per court in transition zones

• Create natural "pause points" where players can chat between games

• Design wide walkways that encourage lingering rather than just passing through

Courts arranged in a circle or horseshoe pattern naturally create a central community space, whereas long rows of courts tend to isolate players. The goal is to design "collision points" where players naturally interact before, during, and after play.

2. Centralized Social Spaces

Many facilities make the mistake of tucking their café, pro shop, or lounge near the entrance—away from the courts. This creates a clear separation between playing and socializing.

Instead, position your social hubs right in the heart of the action:

• Center your café or refreshment area among the courts, not at the entrance

• Create comfortable viewing areas adjacent to primary courts

• Include high-top tables and conversation areas where players can gather

• Ensure good visibility of courts from all social spaces

3. Programming That Connects

While open play and reservations are essential, structured programming is what truly builds community. The key is creating regular events that bring the same groups of people together repeatedly:

• Weekly round robins grouped by skill level

• Ladder leagues that create friendly competition over time

• Skills clinics that advance cohorts of players together

• Themed social events beyond just pickleball (trivia nights, watch parties, etc.)

4. Viewing Areas at Net Lines

Where people naturally gather to watch pickleball tells you a lot about optimal facility design.

Viewers consistently congregate at the net line—not behind the baseline or at the corners.

Design your facility to enhance this natural behavior:

• Place bench seating directly at net lines between courts

• Position scoreboards and displays where spectators naturally gather

• Create elevated viewing platforms at net lines for better visibility

• Install shade structures or canopies over viewing areas around outdoor courts

5. Multi-Purpose Spaces

Creating flexible spaces that can serve multiple functions allows your facility to become a true community center:

• Convertible event spaces that can host tournaments, clinics, or social gatherings

• Meeting rooms for strategy sessions, video analysis, or non-pickleball events

• Outdoor spaces like patios or decks that extend your community footprint

• Private party areas that members can reserve for celebrations

Beyond the Physical Space

While the physical design of your facility creates the foundation for community, the culture you foster is equally important:

• Train staff to be connectors who actively introduce members to each other

• Recognize and celebrate milestones like skill improvements or membership anniversaries

• Create traditions unique to your facility that members look forward to

• Facilitate communications between members through apps, message boards, or social media groups

The most thriving pickleball communities have a distinct identity—members feel they're part of something special, not just customers purchasing court time.

The Business Case for Community

Building community isn't just about creating a nice atmosphere—as mentioned, it directly impacts your bottom line through:

• Higher retention rates as players become emotionally invested in your facility’s community

• Increased visit frequency when social connections draw players back

• Greater secondary spending as members stay longer to socialize

• More word-of-mouth referrals from engaged community members

• Reduced price sensitivity when members value belonging over cost

Simply put, community-focused facilities consistently outperform transaction-focused ones across every key business metric.

Next Steps for Your Facility

Start by honestly assessing your current community strength:

• Do players know each other's names?

• Do they stay after their court time ends?

• Are your social spaces consistently full?

• Do you have regular players who come primarily for the community?

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, there's an opportunity to strengthen your facility's community foundation.

Ready to transform your pickleball facility from a collection of courts into a thriving community hub? Contact JDC for a customized assessment and community-building strategy tailored to your facility and market.