Starting a club is a big undertaking. Here are some basic questions to consider when developing a business plan

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• Indoors or outdoors:

  • Indoors:

    • Location!

    • Square footage/floor space (One court occupies 2260.42 Sq.ft./210 sq.m.)

    • Ceiling height (minimum 21 ft./6.5m; international tournaments require 23ft./8m

      • Including lighting

    • Lease or purchase of building?

    • Parking

    • Is the lighting sufficient or does it need to be ordered with courts?

    • Partner with other sports or community groups

  • Outdoors:

    • Location!

    • Opportunities: underutilized community or school tennis courts, basketball courts

    • Partner with other sports, schools, community groups

    • Square footage/floor space

    • Security of courts and equipment (fencing)

    • Lighting

    • Drainage of the surface

• Courts:

  • Basic structural requirements: concrete base for courts (if not a portable court)

  • How many?

  • What type? (eg. Full Panoramic, Panoramic, Supported or Portable)

    • For outdoors: treated metal for anti-corrosion (Hot galvanized or Electroplated)

    • Thickness of the glass panels 10mm vs 12mm (12mm is recommended)

• Carpets:

  • Type (Texturized, Monofilament, Multifilament)

  • Colour

  • Length of the filament 10, 12 or 15 mm (This will impact the speed of the game)

• Business Planning

  • Expenses:

    • Lease/mortgage

    • Operating costs (eg. Electricity, heat/air conditioning, water)

    • Staff – coach, administrator

    • Court purchase and shipping

    • Construction costs (courts, bathrooms(?))

    • Pro shop

  • ​Revenues:

    • Court fees (local market survey of tennis/squash/pickleball should be completed)

    • Memberships fees

    • Event/Tournament fees

    • Pro Shop

    • Programs and Lessons

    • Corporate Events

  • ROI calculations