Outdoor Pickleball Court Lighting – Studio City, California

Project Overview

Project Title: Outdoor Pickleball Court Lighting Upgrade
Location: Studio City, California
Client Type: Private Pickleball Court Owner
Objective: Implement an energy-efficient LED lighting solution that meets professional-level standards while overcoming structural challenges and budget considerations.

What is Outdoor Pickleball Court Lighting?

Outdoor pickleball court lighting is a specialized lighting system designed to provide bright, uniform illumination for clear visibility and consistent gameplay, even during nighttime matches. Since outdoor conditions introduce additional challenges such as glare, light spill, and exposure to the elements, effective lighting solutions must be engineered to prevent these issues while complying with local regulations.

Properly designed outdoor pickleball lighting enhances the player experience by reducing shadows, preventing glare, and ensuring an evenly lit court that meets industry standards for both recreational and professional play.

Initial Consultation

During the initial consultation, the client expressed the need for a reliable, high-quality lighting solution but focused primarily on cost, requesting a direct quote with minimal review. Despite recommendations for a detailed photometric analysis and consideration of potential light trespass issues, the client declined these additional steps in favor of moving forward with the package as-is.

The main objectives included:

• Achieving at least 31 footcandles of illumination to ensure clear visibility at all times.
• Carefully positioning fixtures to eliminate unwanted shadows and glare.
• Addressing potential light trespass concerns, although initially not considered a priority by the client.

After assessing various lighting configurations, APTA 480w LED fixtures were identified as the ideal solution due to their high output, superior optics, and ability to deliver even illumination across the entire court. While a four-pole layout is the industry standard for even illumination, space limitations led to a two-pole, one-side setup. These fixtures also provide long-term durability and energy efficiency, making them an excellent investment for outdoor sports lighting.

Photometric Analysis

A comprehensive photometric analysis was conducted to confirm the effectiveness of the lighting layout. The findings included:

• Light Levels: The court received an average of 31 footcandles, exceeding the minimum recommended level for outdoor pickleball courts.
• Uniformity: A max/min ratio of 2.15, ensuring no dark spots or overlit areas disrupting gameplay.
• Fixture Layout:
  • Two APTA 480w LED Sports Lights mounted on 20-foot poles, strategically placed on one side of the court.
  • Optics: T4VS to optimize forward throw and minimize light dispersion.

Installation Challenges

Since the two-pole, one-side configuration is not a standard setup for pickleball courts, certain light distribution challenges were expected. The placement of the poles influenced illumination balance and potential shadowing across the playing area.

Additionally, the project had to navigate site-specific constraints, including proximity to other structures. The chosen fixture optics helped mitigate these challenges by ensuring an optimal forward throw of light.

Unique Design & Customization Aspects

Fixture Selection & Placement

• APTA 480w LED Sports Lights were selected for their high efficiency and precise optics.
• Beam angles were optimized to minimize glare while ensuring balanced brightness.
• The two-pole, one-side configuration required careful positioning to maintain uniform coverage across the court.

Structural Considerations

• The lighting system was designed to accommodate the court layout and existing structures while ensuring clear visibility for gameplay.

Implementation & Results

The lighting system successfully:
Provided high-quality lighting for optimal gameplay.
Delivered even illumination across the court with minimal shadowing.
Demonstrated the effectiveness of a two-pole setup for unique site constraints.

While the two-pole configuration required specific adjustments, the final system met the client’s expectations and provided a high-performance pickleball court lighting solution.

Reducing Glare and Hotspots

To maintain a high-quality playing experience, the lighting design incorporated several strategies to reduce glare and minimize hotspots:

• Strategic Fixture Placement: Ensuring an even light spread across the entire court without creating harsh lighting contrasts.
• Optimized Beam Angles: The fixtures were adjusted to prevent direct glare while maximizing uniform light distribution.

Final Thoughts

The client expressed complete satisfaction with the upgraded outdoor pickleball court lighting system, which significantly enhanced the facility’s playability and overall experience. By implementing a customized LED lighting solution, this project successfully addressed visibility concerns while optimizing energy efficiency. The results set a new standard for future outdoor pickleball court lighting projects, demonstrating how strategic lighting design can elevate the quality of play and extend facility usability.

Conclusion

This outdoor pickleball court lighting project successfully delivered a high-performance LED lighting system tailored to the client’s needs. By combining advanced fixture technology with precise placement strategies, the upgraded lighting ensures great visibility while maintaining cost efficiency. The success of this project reinforces the importance of tailored lighting solutions for outdoor sports facilities, ensuring a superior playing experience for years to come.