Multi-Purpose Complex vs. Sports-Specific Facilities
For anybody looking to develop a new sports facility, one of the first logistical questions to ask is whether or not the facility will be a multi-purpose complex or a sport-specific facility. And when it comes to facility planning, this distinction is a very important one that will shape the programming and scheduling of your facility. In today’s blog post, Sports Facilities Management looks at the differences between a multi-purpose complex and its sport-specific counterparts.
What Is The Purpose Of Your Facility?
While deciding between a multi-purpose complex and a sport-specific is an early logistical question to ask yourself, it can only be answered by having an understanding of your facility’s purpose. If your facility is intended to be a community center or a facility for youth sports, a multi-purpose complex makes more sense. If you are wanting to appeal to higher level athletes, however, a sport-specific facility makes more sense.
What Are Their Biggest Differences?
The biggest difference between a multi-purpose complex and a sport-specific facility is in the name. One offers multiple sports, activities, and a variety of programming, while a sport-specific facility will focus on one sport. The most common sport-specific facilities include batting cages for baseball players and driving ranges for golfers.
There are some smaller, more detailed differences, however. Most notable are the facility planning differences, where a multi-purpose facility will often have a heavier schedule and require more staff. On the contrary, a sport-specific complex will require less staff, but that staff will usually be more qualified in training and coaching.
Should I Make My Facility A Multi-Purpose Complex?
This question really goes back to the first point. What is the purpose of your facility? A multi-purpose complex may provide more opportunities to bring in revenue, but if your facility is built for baseball players and teams to come in and practice, you will be better off forming your programming around your facility rather than the other way around.
This also doesn’t mean you can’t host other sports. An all-turf baseball facility can pull back the batting cage netting and host soccer practices or flag football leagues as well. But the decision to host other sports is predicated on your facility’s capabilities, whereas a multi-purpose facility will build their amenities around the potential for multiple sports.
Sports Facilities Management Can Help
Once this decision is made, it is time to actually execute your plan. For that, Sports Facilities Management is here to help. Our dedicated staff specializes in managing sports facilities. Contact us today at (727) 483-7910 or visit our website for more information.
