Want to add a pickleball court to your cottage property? Richard Phelan, the president of Court Contractors, an outdoor sport court builder based in Mississauga, Ont., says feasibility ultimately boils down to two criteria: space and budget. “You need a minimum of 60-by-30-feet for the court,” he says, “with another 10 feet of cleared space around the perimeter.” This adds up to at least 80-by-50-feet. “You want to find a nice spot,” he says. “Not too close to the cottage, and not too close to neighbours, to be respectful of noise.”
That’s a tall order, especially on smaller lots and in places where the Canadian Shield puts a premium on flat terrain. Where bedrock is present, Phelan says it’s usually cheaper to build up with gravel than blast out. A typical build runs between $70,000 to $100,000, depending on the site and the options selected by the customer. For example, most cottagers want a fence installed around the court, and many choose to add a basketball half-court on the playing surface.
Before you begin, it’s important to check local rules around sport courts on private property, says Phelan. You don’t need a building permit, but construction will be subject to setbacks from the waterfront, which vary depending on the municipality. After a site visit to confirm plans, construction begins by removing trees, taking out the topsoil, grading, compacting, and put- ting in a gravel subsurface. Ideally, racquet sports are played on “soft mix” asphalt, Phelan explains, which absorbs shocks and is easier on players’ bodies. Once the asphalt cures, an acrylic coating is applied along with lines on the playing surface. A typical project takes six to eight weeks from start to completion.
A sport court is a long-term investment, Phelan says, with a life expectancy of 40-plus years. Maintenance includes keeping it clear of leaves and resurfacing every decade. “This is a want for people, not a need,” he says. “I always remind customers that you’ve got to think not just about your desires, but also how your family, friends, and guests will use the court. Making it multi-purpose with a basketball system helps justify the cost, because more people will use it.”
This story originally appeared in our May ’25 issue.