St. Louis Pickleball Court Construction

• The court shall be a rectangle 20 feet wide (6.10 m) and 44 feet long (13.41 m) for both singles and doubles matches.

• A total playing area 30 feet wide (9.14 m) and 60 feet long (18.28 m) is the minimum size that is recommended. A preferred 10-foot (3.05-m) surrounding margin measures 40 feet (12.19 m) by 64 feet (19.51 m).
• Court measurements shall be made to the outside of the perimeter and non-volley zone lines. All lines should be 2 inches (5.08 cm) wide and the same color, clearly contrasting with the color of the playing surface.

Post-tensioned concrete is reinforced with a grid of high-strength sheathed steel tendons, or cables. While the concrete is curing, the cables are tensioned in both directions and held permanently under stress by anchoring them in a perimeter beam. This squeezing action keeps the concrete in compression, improving its tensile (or bending) strength. The more the concrete is squeezed together, the less likely it is that shrinkage cracks will develop or open.  

Another benefit of post-tensioning is that contractors can build larger slab using thinner concrete sections, and they do not have to install control joints which can interfere with play. Rebar reinforced concrete courts need control joints, usually at a spacing of 10 to 15 feet, including in the playing area. Overtime these joints will widen and other cracking will occur.  

The height of the fencing required often will depend on the court location. A 7′ to 8′ high fence is commonly used for most courts. Most pickleball courts require fencing across the back of the court and along each sideline from the corner posts to a recommended minimum of 16″ up the sidelines. The remaining distance on either side of the net can be left open, or a lower fence height of 4-6′ can be used to contain rolling balls.