Unlocking the Potential of Underused Tennis Courts
A strange shift has been happening since the pandemic: public tennis courts are getting less play across the country. Once-busy courts are now often underutilized, while people spend more time at home.
But there’s good news: Instead of letting those old courts go unused, many communities are getting creative and finding cost-effective ways to bring them back to life.
With smart planning and the right materials, you can transform your existing courts into active, multipurpose spaces that engage your community and revitalize your recreational offerings. Let’s dive in and see how.
Why Convert? Understanding the Demand for Multipurpose Courts
In the past few years, the rise of sports like pickleball, futsal, soccer, and street basketball has created a rapidly growing need for flexible, shared-use recreational facilities.
With four straight years as the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., pickleball alone has reshaped how communities think about their courts and surfaces. Though tennis still has its place, there’s clearly a demand for other sports too.
Multipurpose courts directly respond to that shift by:
- Supporting multiple sports without needing new land
- Making facilities more accessible to different age groups
- Fostering social interaction and community engagement
- Optimizing space use in parks, schools, and neighborhoods
- Maximizing the value of your recreational facilities
- Providing a fun environment for all ages
- Bringing family members together for shared activities
By repurposing your existing courts instead of building from scratch, you can get much more function out of what you’ve already built, saving money, avoiding red tape, and meeting evolving demand without delay. Aligning court conversions with the interest of the community or HOA ensures a harmonious and beneficial outcome for everyone involved.
A wide variety of games are played on these courts, with both adults and children enjoying activities like tennis, pickleball, soccer, and basketball. This active use by different age groups highlights the versatility and appeal of multipurpose recreational facilities for family gatherings and community events.
When considering court conversions, it’s important to involve owners in the decision-making process to ensure that changes reflect the needs and preferences of the community.
Design Options: What’s Possible With a Converted Court?
Tennis courts offer a generous footprint (78’ x 36’), plenty large enough to accommodate several popular sport layouts. With the right striping and surfacing, you can turn an old single-purpose tennis court into a versatile multi-use hub that can even serve as a community center for various activities.
Here are some design ideas for how you can get more from that space:
- Tennis + Pickleball Overlay: Fit two to four pickleball courts on a single tennis surface, while keeping tennis playable.
- Basketball Court Options: Install a dedicated basketball court, with the choice of a half-court (42’ x 50’) or a full court (84’ x 50’) layout for recreational or competitive play.
- Badminton and Shuffleboard: Add badminton courts (44’ x 22’) or shuffleboard as additional amenities to maximize versatility.
- Basketball + Futsal Combo Courts: Great for youth leagues, camps, or school PE – particularly in urban areas with limited space.
- Custom Striping for Events: Courts can double as spaces for yoga, outdoor education, or community markets with color-coded zones or flexible markings.
Increase functionality and broaden appeal further by including ADA-accessible paths, improved lighting, and age-inclusive elements like benches and shaded viewing areas.
Multipurpose courts are highly customizable, from color schemes to anti-slip coatings that enhance aesthetics and safety. Acrylic flooring offers the ability to be tailored for both function and aesthetics, allowing for unique facility modifications and design options. These courts can also be used indoors, providing a controlled environment for year-round play and consistent user experience. The sky’s the limit, so get creative and make your facility stand out to residents and visitors alike!
Learn more about ProTrack & Tennis, specialists in championship-level court resurfacing.
The Conversion Process: Fast, Affordable, and Built to Last
When you’re ready to make an old tennis court into something new and vibrant, choose an experienced provider you can trust to bring your vision into reality.
Our in-house teams have completed hundreds of successful conversions, consistently on-time and on-budget. Our streamlined process minimizes disruption and maximizes durability no matter what state your court is in now.
We manage every step in-house:
- Assessment & Planning – We evaluate the court’s current condition and recommend the best options based on your goals and budget.
- Surface Preparation & Crack Repair – We get to work, resetting any damage and creating a smooth, level foundation.
- Layout Design & Striping – We custom-mark your courts based on your selected sports and colors.
- Final Surfacing & Coating – We apply durable, weather-resistant materials for long-term performance and low maintenance.
That’s how we earned a reputation for delivering clean, vibrant, community-ready spaces, completed quickly and flawlessly.
👉 Check out some of our multipurpose court projects
Budget-Smart Benefits for Municipalities
If you’re looking to upgrade your facilities but don’t have a huge budget at your disposal, we’ve got good news: Court conversions are among the most cost-effective upgrades you can make. Clients benefit from these conversions by maximizing their existing space and minimizing expenses, making it an ideal solution for organizations and municipalities seeking affordable improvements.
While building new facilities can require large budgets and extended timelines, converting an existing tennis court lets you use your existing space as a more affordable alternative.
Plus, repurposing doesn’t just save money compared to new construction – it also extends the life of your asset, broadens your facility’s use, and avoids costly land acquisition or zoning delays.
Many of the municipalities and clients that partner with us also explore state funding, parks grants, or recreational improvement budgets to help further offset conversion costs. We can help point you toward resources that support community development and wellness.
“It gave our community new life without breaking the budget. Kids, seniors, and everyone in between are using it daily.” – Parks & Rec Director, Small Town, Ohio
Safety & Compliance: Built Right from the Ground Up
We put safety first in every surface we install. Our resurfaced and converted courts include:
- Slip-resistant coatings
- Shock-absorbent layers to reduce joint strain
- Clearly defined striping for each sport
- ADA-compliant access zones
For any permanent court conversion, such as when you choose to permanently convert two tennis courts into multiple pickleball courts, we guide you through all compliance requirements, including municipal approvals, accessibility laws, and safety standards. For example, converting two tennis courts involves obtaining proper permits, updating facility layouts, and ensuring all modifications meet ASTM standards and local regulations.
Our crews perform routine compliance and quality checks at every step of the way.
Maintaining Your New Multipurpose Courts: Longevity & Upkeep
Once your tennis courts have been transformed into vibrant multipurpose courts, keeping them in top shape is key to maximizing their value and playability. Regular maintenance not only extends the life of your court surface but also ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone—whether they’re playing tennis, basketball, pickleball, or any other sport.
Start with routine cleaning to remove debris, dirt, and leaves that can cause premature wear or create slippery spots. Inspect your courts frequently for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks, fading pickleball lines, or surface damage. Addressing these issues early—especially after heavy use or severe weather—can prevent more costly repairs down the line.
For courts with multiple sport markings, like tennis court and pickleball lines, use gentle, court-safe cleaning products to avoid fading or damaging the lines. If your court conversion included an acrylic surface, plan for periodic resurfacing to maintain its durability, color, and slip resistance. This is especially important for high-traffic multi court facilities, where regular play can accelerate surface wear.
By investing in a proactive maintenance routine, you’ll protect your investment, keep your courts looking fresh, and guarantee a safe, welcoming space for your community to enjoy a variety of sports for years to come.
Lines, Nets, and Gear: Outfitting Your Courts for Every Game
A great multipurpose court is more than just a surface—it’s about having the right lines, nets, and gear to support every game your community wants to play. Outfitting your courts properly ensures that whether you’re serving on a tennis court, rallying on a pickleball court, or setting up for volleyball, every sport is ready to go.
When adding pickleball lines to existing tennis courts, choose high-quality, weather-resistant paint designed for outdoor use. This helps the lines stay crisp and visible, even after countless games and changing weather. For net posts, make sure they’re sturdy and installed at the correct regulation size for each sport—tennis, pickleball, or volleyball—to guarantee both safety and fair play.
If you’re converting a single tennis court into two or even four pickleball courts, plan your layout carefully to maximize space and ensure each court meets standard dimensions. Durable nets, baskets for balls, and other sport-specific gear should be selected with both performance and longevity in mind, especially for outdoor courts exposed to the elements.
Don’t forget about the little details: secure net attachments, proper storage for balls and rackets, and clear signage can all enhance the experience for families and teams alike. By thoughtfully equipping your multipurpose courts, you create a flexible, inviting space that encourages everyone in your community to get out, play, and stay active—no matter the game or the weather.
Real Results: Municipal Projects That Made an Impact
If you’ve drove around central Des Moines, Iowa recently, one park may have caught your eye…
The Evelyn K. Davis Park had just finished preparation for new basketball courts. But instead of a run-of-the-mill design, they wanted a surface that reflected the community’s style, reflecting the cultural and historic significance of the area.
Pro Track and Tennis helped build a new, resilient base layer for the courts. A vibrant mural was painted on top, artistically transforming the facility into a basketball destination and a point of pride and engagement for the community. Now, a variety of sports are played on these courts, with both adults and children enjoying basketball, tennis, and more during community gatherings. The project has finally brought the community’s vision to life, and its unique design has gained recognition beyond Des Moines, making an impact in the wider world.
Like this park, if you’ve got a bold vision for your facilities, we want to help you bring it to life.
Why Municipalities Trust Pro Track and Tennis
With over 20 years of experience in outdoor surface construction and conversion, we’ve become the go-to partner for municipalities seeking long-term value and peace of mind.
- In-House Crews: No subcontractors. Our team controls quality from start to finish.
- Tailored Solutions: Every design is matched to your facility’s needs, age range, and goals.
- Proven Experience: We’ve worked with schools, HOAs, and cities across the U.S.
- 5-Star Reputation: The feedback we get speaks for itself – reliable, responsive, and built to last.
We’re not just resurfacing courts; we’re helping you create a better, more active community.
If you are interested in learning more or want to discuss your project, contact us today for expert guidance.
Ready to Convert Your Tennis Courts? Let’s Make a Plan.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or you’re ready to get a quote, we’re here to help.
We offer free on-site assessments and expert consultations to help you understand your court’s condition, what’s possible, and how much you can save by converting. With one court, you have the flexibility to convert it into either two pickleball courts or four standard pickleball courts, depending on your needs and layout preferences.
Have a court in mind? Let’s turn that underused space into something your whole community can enjoy.
👉 Schedule a free on-site assessment – we’ll come to you!
