Designing or renovating a pickleball facility brings many decisions – how many courts, what the locker rooms to look like, and how about parking? All of these decisions, of course, are important; however, one that might be the most important in the long run is lighting.
Lighting impacts player safety, tournament readiness, and, of course, cost. We spoke with Bruce Frasure, Owner / Principal of Frasure Reps Sports Lighting in Cincinnati, OH, for insight into the world of sports facility lighting to help make your club the best and brightest around.
Frasure Reps Sports Lighting has been illuminating sporting facilities for over 35 years and, more specifically, pickleball courts for the past eight years around the country. They have seen the demand for pickleball grow and are proud to be involved with a variety of clubs, including The Pickle Lodge, as well as local recreation facilities.
When designing, redesigning, or considering a building purchase, Bruce advises owners to look up and look ahead to make the best decisions for their property.
First things first, there are twoways to light pickleball courts: direct lighting and indirect lighting. Which one to choose depends upon factors including ceiling height, ceiling material, and how the facility is being used.
Indirect light shines LED lightbulbs onto the ceiling to reflect back down to the courts. Most players prefer this type of lighting as it eliminates glare when players look up. It is also the industry standard for tournament play. While it is more costly, as roughly 20% of the light is lost when it bounces off the ceiling, it eliminates hot spots and glare, providing the best possible playing environment.
Direct lighting is just that – it shines directly down on the courts. With this type of lighting, it is important to have a diffused lens covering the LED os you don’t get the full brightness of the fixture when players look up. These hot spots can be problematic for players; however, sometimes there isn’t another solution, and Bruce advises that it can be difficult to retrofit a space for indirect lighting.
“Ceiling surface situations can be remedied by painting the ceiling white if it’s a darker color, but if there is a lot of structure like HVAC or beams that is going to block the lighting, then unfortunately, there is no real way around that,” Bruce says. He adds that since the fixtures are suspended from the ceiling about 6-10 feet, a building with low ceilings won’t work, and raising a ceiling is nearly impossible.
Another consideration when opening a facility is that the amount of light available is tied to the skill level of play that can take place in the facility. If owners think they might hold tournaments down the line, Bruce recommends investing in better lighting to follow USTA pickleball lighting standards. When installing lighting, Frasure Reps generally errs on the higher side, as it is easier to have tournament lighting on recreation courts instead of vice versa.
Lighting systems are typically mounted on poles for outdoor courts and designed to light two courts at a time. Similar principles apply to outdoor lighting as to indoor lighting, in that owners should plan their lighting by play level and court layout. Outdoor updates are often easier and still benefit from expert planning.
Bruce shared a few more helpful tips for pickleball owners and want-to-be-owners.
- While it might seem like common sense, it is vital to complete lighting before completing the court surfacing to prevent making marks on the courts with lift equipment or, even worse, breaking or ruining the court surfacing.
- Lighting requirements are very similar for those converting from a tennis to a pickleball facility, and the same lighting fixture locations can be used. However, owners might want to see if the lighting should be upgraded. Some of the older technology before 2015 or so had a 15-20 minute warm-up period. New fixtures have no time lag and are now instant on and instant off, making it much more convenient for all.
- With the updated lighting comes updated control equipment! This means lights can be dimmed easily for normal play and increased for tournament play much more easily.
- Lastly, be sure to work with an industry expert when choosing pickleball facility lighting, not just an electrical contractor, since pickleball lighting is very specialized. Lighting pickleball courts is not the same as lighting a warehouse, even if the space is as big. To ensure all players get the best experience, work with a group that specializes in sports lighting.
Lighting a pickleball facility is more than simply flipping a switch. It’s about creating the most welcoming and play-enhancing environment possible to keep players – and tournaments – returning. An investment upfront will surely pay off in the end by providing a consistent, comfortable, and competition-ready experience for every player who walks through your doors.
