It’s a Friday night, the smell of popcorn fills the air. Student-athletes are warming up, preparing for the big game, while students, staff, and visitors eagerly watch from the stands. Who doesn’t love to cheer for the home team?
School athletics are at the core of building and fostering a community. But despite the enthusiasm for high-school and collegiate athletics, many schools face similar challenges with outdated athletic facilities. Having access to modern, flexible athletic spaces for students and community members has become a priority for many schools.
So what’s the best approach for tackling these challenges? Is it a new field house? Football field or weight room? There may not be a one-size-fits-all answer, but the BLDD team of athletics design experts has collected a few essential features to create award-winning facilities for award-winning teams.
Friday Night Lights
With a long-time record of playoff-bound football teams and growing athletic programs, Williamsville-Sherman CUSD #15 knows what it takes to bring home a “W.” However, the district’s dated facilities were not up-to-par with the student-athletes’ needs. To remedy this challenge, several athletics upgrades were made.
The new 79,700 sq. ft. fieldhouse helps students make gains on and off the court with access to a fully equipped weight room and competition gym. School pride is on full display with custom environmental graphics that showcase the purple and gold school colors.
Athletic field light replacements create safer playing conditions for athletes. The addition of a press box and 1,000-seat grandstand to the existing football field and track add a sense of community for visitors.
Having access to modern training facilities gives students and coaches the ability to practice offensive and defensive skills in innovative and flexible ways.
These upgrades have set the district’s athletics programs up for success. In their first season on the new field, the Williamsville-Sherman football team gained playoff wins to secure a spot in the IHSA State Championship.
Field of Dreams
After three decades without a home for the women’s softball program, the Workman Family Softball Field is now a monument to Millikin University’s strong heritage as well as the bright future of a growing program.
Like many of Millikin’s programs and buildings, the Division III softball field is like no other in the Midwest. With professional-style ‘sunken’ dugouts, a synthetic turf infield and outfield, team room, and vinyl fencing, it’s no wonder the program made school history in 2022 with its first Super Regional NCAA win.
But what’s a top-quality facility without fans? Berm, patio, and stadium chair seating develop a sense of community for students, staff, and the community to gather and celebrate the successes of the Millikin softball team.
History in the Making
Monticello is home to an iconic, historic High School, known for producing high-achieving graduates who excel academically and athletically.
To support the Sages’ successful athletics program, a freshly upgraded gymnasium and athletics complex features collapsible bleachers to provide seating for up to 1,500 spectators during playoff and history-making championship games.
This new space also gives students and staff the flexibility to maximize their practice spaces. And it’s working! The 2022 Sages Basketball team continued the district’s winning tradition by securing a spot in the 2A basketball championship – a feat that had never happened before.
Are you ready to take the next steps to modern, future-focused athletics facilities? With a record of 90+ athletics facilities in the last 30 years, Team BLDD can help you cross the finish line to champion-focused facilities. Chat with John or one of our athletics experts today to learn more!
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