Pickleball Courts for Retirement Villages

Line Marking Australia builds pickleball courts for retirement villages and aged care communities, including converting unused tennis courts. We recommend cushioned acrylic surfaces that are easier on joints, with shade, seating and accessible paths beside the court, and we stage the work to keep disruption to residents low.

Pickleball has become the go-to activity for many retirement villages. It's social, easy to learn, low impact and played on a court about a third the size of a tennis court. Residents who stopped playing tennis years ago are back on court within an afternoon.

If your village is thinking about a court, these are the questions managers and residents' committees ask us most.

Why are retirement villages adding pickleball courts?

Retirement villages are adding pickleball courts because the game suits older players: a smaller court, a lighter paddle, a slower ball and an underarm serve. It keeps residents active and social, and it's a strong drawcard for new residents. Pickleball Australia now reports more than 27,000 members across 410-plus clubs and venues.

Is pickleball safe for older residents?

Pickleball is generally a low-impact sport, and a well-designed court makes it safer. The court design matters most:

• Cushioned surface to reduce strain on knees, hips and backs
• Textured, slip-resistant finish so the court grips in dew and light rain
• Generous run-off around the court so players aren't near fences or posts
• Even lighting without glare for early-morning and evening games
• Shade and seating beside the court for rests between games
• Step-free paths and handrails to the court, designed with AS 1428.1 (access and mobility) in mind

Residents with health conditions should check with their doctor before starting any new sport.

What is the best surface for a retirement village pickleball court?

Cushioned acrylic is the best surface for most retirement village pickleball courts. It has rubber layers under a textured acrylic top coat, so it's softer underfoot than a standard hard court while keeping a true bounce. It costs more than standard acrylic, but residents notice the difference. Lighter colours also stay cooler in summer.

Can we convert our tennis court into pickleball courts?

Yes, and it's often the best value. Many villages have a tennis court that's rarely used. One tennis court can be converted to up to four dedicated pickleball courts, or two pickleball courts while keeping tennis. We repair cracks, resurface (with a cushioned coat if you'd like), mark new lines in a contrasting colour and fit pickleball posts and nets.

How much does a pickleball court for a retirement village cost?

A new pickleball court starts from around $20,000 installed (published Australian builder pricing, 2026), and converting an existing tennis court usually costs less because the slab is already there. Cushioned acrylic, shade structures, seating, fencing and lighting add to the cost. We quote each item separately so the residents' committee can see exactly where the money goes.

How do you keep disruption to residents low?

We plan village builds around the people who live there:

• Agreed work hours, with noisy work kept to the middle of the day
• A fenced, signed work zone and safe walking routes around it
• Truck movements and deliveries scheduled away from busy times
• Dust and noise controls, including water suppression or vacuum extraction when cutting concrete
• A single point of contact for the village manager throughout the job

Do retirement villages need approval to build a pickleball court?

A new court may need council approval, depending on the earthworks, fencing, lighting and how close it is to homes. Your state's retirement villages legislation may also require residents to be consulted on capital works and how they're funded. We provide drawings, scopes and itemised quotes to support both the council and your residents' committee.

What else suits retirement villages?

Pickleball pairs well with other low-impact facilities we build: bocce courts, putting greens, croquet lawns and walking paths with distance markers. Many villages put two or three together to create an active recreation precinct.

How do we look after the court?

Keep the court clean of leaves and debris, wash it down a few times a year and check the nets and posts. An acrylic court usually needs a fresh coat every 7 to 10 years, depending on use and sun exposure. We can line mark and resurface when the time comes.

What do you need from us to quote?

Tell us whether you want a new court or a tennis conversion, how many courts, where on site, what's there now, access for machinery, surface preference (cushioned or standard), shade, seating, lighting and fencing, any council or committee approvals already in place, and your timing and budget. Photos and a site plan help us give you an accurate quote.