Sports fields are a major investment, whether you’re managing a school district, public or private sports centers. Incorporating shade structures can make a tremendous difference in preserving that investment, increasing seasonal usability of outdoor sports areas and sheltering turf or other playing surfaces from potentially damaging effects of harsh weather.
Shade structures protect people, too. We want to encourage both adults and kids to be active and participate in organized sports, but sometimes it’s just too uncomfortable outside without a roof over our heads.
The American Cancer Society has made everyone aware of the importance of guarding against skin cancer, and now they’ve introduced new initiatives aimed specifically at protecting children. And some states such as California actually require schools to provide shade for children playing outdoors, if temperatures exceed 85 degrees.
But what type of shade structures make the most sense for you?
Every situation is somewhat different, and if you’re like most organizations, you’re especially budget-conscious these days. Before you make any decisions about what to purchase, consult a professional company that has a successful track record working with various types and sizes of sports facilities and other key factors relevant to your needs.
They’ll help you understand various options that are available and identify the best-performing and most cost-effective choices. First, though, ask yourself these questions:
- Do we require shade from the sun only, or multi-season protection from rain, wind, etc. too?
- Will our shade structures be temporary or permanent? If “permanent,” what sort of lifespan do we expect?
- What physical configuration will we need – should it be a single structure or several sections?
- How elaborate does our structure need to be? You can add walls, windows and lighting capability to extend usability even further.
Taking the time to plan your approach will ensure you make the smartest long-term investment. You can get shade structures that serve your needs well now and provide flexibility to serve you well in the future, too.
Photo Credit: SJU Undergraduate Admissions via Flickr
