What is in this article?:
- Field Notes
- On the field
- The successful approach
Tips for planning and designing athletic fields at schools and universities.
The importance of athletic fields has increased in today's society because of the popularity of sporting events. As a result, education administrators face challenges when dealing with their athletic facilities. Decisionmakers constantly are being second-guessed in regard to outdated, overused facilities and lack of budget. Some of the questions being asked by administrators:
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“How do we make the right decisions about our athletic facilities?”
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“How will stakeholders react to athletic improvements?”
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“How can we pay for the project?”
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“How will improvements affect the safety of the student athletes?”
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“What would be the expected life-cycle costs of improvements (installation, maintenance, repairs, etc.)?”
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“Who are the appropriate experts to help us make these decisions?”
Embarking on a new or upgraded athletic complex can be daunting. It is important to select a professional that understands the process, issues and considerations that must be addressed; analyzes needs and provides tools to help schools make informed decisions; and has site design and athletic field experience.
