What You Need to Build a Basketball Court at Your Recreation Center
One of the most important aspects of a successful recreation center is the quality of the basketball courts. However, many are at a loss as to how to start the building process or what aspects they need to look out for. Going in blind can cause you to end up with a basketball court you are not happy with, or a much higher price tag then you expected. Today Sports Facilities Advisory wants to share some tips to get you started in building the perfect basketball court for your recreation center.
Decide on Flooring Type
Most basketball courts are made of hardwood, however, that is not necessarily the best option for what your recreation center needs. While hardwood (generally maple) is dense with very fine fibers and is particularly resistant to splintering, it can be damaged by sunlight, water, and some other elements. Most hardwood owners apply a yearly polyurethane finish to help protect from the elements and the natural wear and tear that comes from a well-used recreation center.
Some basketball courts, in lieu of hardwood, opt for alternatives such as:
Asphalt – Generally preferred for outdoor courts. Asphalt stands up the best to the elements that come with being in exposed to weather effects. Though, it lacks in the aesthetic goals of the other options. Also the less smooth surface of concrete tends to wear basketballs down faster over time. If your recreation center is providing basketballs this may be a cost to factor in over time.
Multi-Purpose – Many manufacturers are opting for multi-purpose plastic flooring for their court needs. These start with a smooth slab of concrete for foundation and features a top surface of polypropylene squares snapped together in any shape or design. Multi-purpose provides excellent traction and can withstand elements that hardwood can not. It is also safer than concrete as the smooth surface minimizes abrasions from falling. This method is a bit more expensive but may be worth it in the long run.
Whatever court material you choose make sure you weigh the pros and cons of each before moving to the next step, the basketball hoop.
Choosing the Right Basketball Hoop
The hoop type you choose will generally be between two options. Either the in-ground hoop or the mounted hoop. There are of course hundreds of different options within each category, but the general design must be decided first. Many recreation centers prefer the in-ground hoop when creating an outdoor court. It offers a more reliable method for raising and lowering as well as being the most stable option. Indoor courts tend to go with the wall or roof-mounted hoop. This method removes the danger of the steel pole from play. Also, it allows your court to be a bit more flexible, as you can often raise and lower your goals completely out of the way if you want to also offer volleyball for instance. Once you have the general design in mind, you can begin the search through literally hundreds of companies and specific hoop designs to find what works best for your recreation center.
Building a Basketball Recreation Center?
Let Sports Facilities Advisory help you to go through these basketball court options to find the design that will best fit your recreation center. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to choosing court designs and we have the experts to find the best choice for your goals. Call us today to speak with an SFA representative and get started with the planning and funding process for the recreation center of your dreams.