What’s trending in athletic facilities?

While the dictionary definition of evolution might not necessarily relate to sports facilities, recent advancements are generating serious buzz. Here’s a rundown.

Technology: For decades, the electrical needs for sports facilities were focused on power for lighting and outlets for maintenance machines (and later, for reliable Wi-Fi). These days, it is essential to evaluate and understand the technological needs of the facility for various uses, including:

• Recording and livestreaming
• The ability for high school players to have a strong enough connection to upload highlights of their game to platforms used by college coaches for recruitment purposes
• Broadcast capabilities
• Instructional camera recording/playback use (Player Analysis Technology in tennis is one example)
• Electronic line-calling (also used in tennis)
• Facilities where user access and facility reservations or admittance are controlled via a mobile app

• In grass fields: Yellow or brown spots and bare/skinned areas are both signs of trouble. So are places where the grass appears to be a different shade than in others; fields should be uniformly green. Drone use can also help field managers identify places where lines are faded or worn and need reapplication.
• In synthetic fields: Look for areas of standing water (it is necessary to do this either after a rain or after using the irrigation system), places where the turf looks worn or uneven — or places where lines appear to be wavy, indicating that infill might have shifted or become compacted. 
• On outdoor courts (tennis, pickleball, basketball, etc.): Look for discolorations on the surface that could indicate the growth of algae, something that could cause injury to athletes or even community users. Cracks in courts should also be identified and addressed.
• Damage, vandalism, or other problems: It’s not a pleasant thought but it should be kept in mind since it is far better to identify and deal with a problem right away than to become aware of it at game time.

These are, of course, not the only problems that can befall facilities. Keep open the lines of communication with your players and any community users and inspect all venues immediately, even if only one person complains. As noted previously, there is no substitute for making regular visits to all facilities. 

New Sports Necessitate New Game Lines: Rising sports like pickleball and small-sided versions of traditional sports like soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse, are gaining in popularity, meaning coaches, athletic directors and facility managers should re-evaluate where new playing lines are needed. In indoor facilities or on synthetic turf, professional installation should be the first choice. Additionally, as communities become increasingly landlocked, look for fields to host an increasing number of sports, calling for some creative design and layouts.

Robotic Field Markers: Remember how coaches and athletic directors, or even maintenance staff members, at schools with grass fields, spent their time marking those fields with a measuring wheel, string and chalk dust – or even spray paint? Those days are gone.

Robotic lining systems (multiple brands are available on the market) allow fields to be marked easily and precisely, for any number of sports, in under two hours (often under 30 minutes), at a time and labor savings of 90 percent. The autonomous devices employ GPS technology to do the job, using the field’s coordinates to drive along the grass and leave accurate lines of paint to create yard lines, hash marks, numbers and everything in between. Because the machinery can mean a sizeable investment, many schools may share one unit.

LED Game Line Systems for Indoor Facilities: Proprietary systems that rely on LED lighting (controllable through a touchscreen) work with a specifically installed surface to create not only court lines but interactive features that generate in-game excitement. More information on these systems is obtainable from manufacturers.

LED Lighting: At this point, LED lighting needs no introduction. It is energy-efficient and easy to use since many systems can be controlled by a mobile app that allows the manager, coach, or athletic director to turn lights on or off (or to dim them for times when facilities are not in use).

Because it is easier to aim, it removes the potential for both sky glow (defined as the brightness seen above a sports facility) and light trespass (also known as light spill, which in the days of older technology, led to multiple complaints from those in neighborhoods that stood adjacent to the sports facilities). Something else that athletes, coaches, and spectators like is the ability of LED lighting to have more true color rendition and to reduce glare.

Over time, LED lighting systems have become the standard in sports lighting. System prices have come down significantly and LED is offered by major sports lighting manufacturers in the marketplace. Additionally, many fixtures can be mounted on existing light poles for cost savings.

One trending topic in all lighting installations is environmental concerns since light can have a negative effect on local wildlife and plants. Discuss plans with local organizations, such as conservation groups, as well as surrounding neighborhoods, and ask lighting manufacturers to provide information.

Prior to purchasing a lighting system, owners should take into account the importance of selecting a system that is manufactured, tested and backed by a reputable company. Online ads may promote low prices but the wiser investment is made by purchasing a domestically designed and assembled sports-specific system backed by a reputable company with references from users who can speak to the customer service experience before, during and after installation.

» ALSO SEE: Identifying and effectively utilizing volunteers

Water Conservation Measures: Responsible water use has moved to the fore in the design of athletic facilities, and when incorporated, can go a long way toward addressing environmental concerns. On the market now are irrigation systems with monitoring devices that can detect precipitation and automatically switch off field sprinklers when needed. 

Changes are always afoot in the sports facility industry and it is essential to keep on top of them. As the saying goes, “If you do what you have always done, you’ll get what you always got.” And when it comes to doing everything from heading off problems that can lead to athlete injuries or complaints, to solving problems before they become more involved, requiring far more expensive solutions — it’s obvious there is no drawback to staying updated.

You Might Also Like

Identifying and effectively utilizing volunteers

Utah court allows Australian student to play football following lawsuit

Q&A.D. with WIAA executive director Mick Hoffman