BUILDING A SPORTS FACILITY CHECKLIST
STARTING A SPORTS COMPLEX
Planning an athletics facility can seem like a challenging task because there are so many things to consider. At Grand Slam Safety, we are happy to help you look at things from the very beginning to the completion of the project. Let's break it down into the main parts so you can get started.
1. Determine Which Sports Will Be Played
Do you need basketball courts, baseball fields or soccer fields? For which age groups? Different age groups will often have a different field or court size. Do you need a gymnasium that can host multiple different sports? In order to plan the size of each area, you'll have to decide on the sport and age group you'd like to accommodate. Tight on space? Think about multiuse areas that can be divided or repurposed for different sports.
2. Decide on Flooring
Once you know which courts and fields you need, you can choose your facility's flooring. Consider the different hardwood or synthetic surface options for your court, keeping in mind the surface hardness as well as safety requirements and budget. For fields, determine which type of turf you'll need. Think about what floor you want for the non-sporting areas, too. Grand Slam Safety can offer you great deals on turf products for your facility.
3. Athletic Facility Layout - Consider Support Areas
You need more than a court to host a game. Now that you know which sports you want to host and what type of courts and fields you'll need, figure out which support areas are needed. You might include:
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Locker rooms.
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Equipment closets.
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Laundry facilities.
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Offices.
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An issue area for gear.
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An athletic trainer's room that is set up for first aid.
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Bathrooms for spectators.
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A box office for tickets.
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Many facilities also offer a snack or juice bar.
4. Find Space for Spectators
Now it's time to think about where the spectators will be. Where can the bleachers go? Will the spectators be in any danger of getting hit with loose balls or equipment? There is no need to worry about spectator safety if you are using our SPECTO® Perimeter Fencing System. Set aside areas by each court for the spectators, and then consider if you will need netting.
5. Design with Sanitation in Mind
Hosting athletic events means there will be many people in your facility, and many of them will be breaking a sweat and breathing heavily. It's important to consider airflow and ease of sanitation in your design. Use hard, nonporous surfaces or antimicrobial-treated laminates. Make sure fixtures can be moved when it's time to clean them.
6. Consider Netting, Fencing and Gym Dividers
Netting is useful for more than just protecting spectators. You can also utilize netting, fencing or gym dividers to optimize your space and even host multiple games at once. Add or remove court dividers to change the layout of your space, allowing for more or different sports to be played at different times. Fencing or netting can also protect the rest of your facility, such as vending machines, water fountains or even scoreboards.
7. Plan Lighting
You'll need to have a well-lit facility that has flexibility for the different events you want to host. Think about utilizing natural light sources, like skylights and windows.
8. Make an Equipment List
Before opening your sports facility, you'll need to acquire some equipment. Grand Slam Safety can meet all your sporting supply needs. Depending on the sports you want to host, you might need the following:
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Bleachers
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Benches
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Scoreboards
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Basketball hoops
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Volleyball nets
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Baseball plates
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Soccer goals
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Uniforms
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Helmets
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Balls
CONTACT US TO LEARN ABOUT HOW TO START AN INDOOR SPORTS FACILITY
Grand Slam Safety can help you plan your sports complex all the way from design to installation. Contact us today!