SPORTS PITCHES
Specifying robust security solutions for sports facilities
hether a school ,
W community , or sports facility setting , the priorities for any playrelated fencing product are safety and the ability to successfully contain the activity to a designated area . This does not necessarily relate merely to the safety of users and visitors , but can also include the prevention of balls breaching the boundary perimeter and causing damage or unwanted trespassing .
Sports facilities , especially at local and community level , have been amongst the hardest hit during the pandemic . To support their recovery , Sport England , Wales , and Northern Ireland provided £ 6.5 million to rejuvenate grassroots sports clubs across the regions in a bid to improve participation rates in areas where activity is lowest . Part of this investment was put towards surfacing , surroundings , and fencing to better equip sports facilities , making them safe for those who use them .
In Scotland this month ( August 2022 ) a new grant was introduced whereby schools and other organisations including local authorities can apply for funding of up to £ 100,000 ( to a maximum of 50 % of the project costs ) to improve their sports facilities and , in areas of high deprivation , the maximum grant can be up to 75 % of project costs . These grants are to help with the maintenance or upgrading of sports facilities .
With many types of sports facility fencing available on the market , each with different applications and functions , settling on the right one for your project can be overwhelming . Below , I ’ ve outlined the key factors to consider when specifying the right fencing and gates for different sports enclosures , taking into account participant and spectator safety , the safety of surrounding properties , the security of the enclosure when it is not in use , and of course the playability of the enclosure .
Key considerations
1 . Keeping both the participants and spectators safe when the pitch is in use .
In this case , high visibility fencing around sports pitches and multi-use games areas ( MUGAs ) is ideal to allow spectators clear views without risk of being injured by stray equipment , and supervisors can look on from a safe distance but also spot any incidents or injuries to players on the pitch , as they happen .
2 . Assess if the area you want to secure has any surrounding property or walkways , which may require tall fencing like ball stop to prevent accidental damage , or solid fencing like acoustic barriers to provide privacy and noise reduction .
3 . Contemplate the level of security that is required for the enclosure when it is not in use . Here it ’ s worth evaluating if the enclosure is positioned in a public place with free or paid access , or is it within the perimeter fence line of a school ? Think about the storage of sports equipment too and whether this is locked inside or in a separate compound .
Investing in high quality fencing can help sports clubs provide superior facilities for users and although the initial cost may be higher , it will likely save money in the long run which can then be used to invest in equipment . While a cheaper option may seem appealing at first , opting for robust fencing will also ensure minimal repairs and replacements are needed , making the upkeep of the facilities less extensive .
64 GroundskeepingJournal . co . uk | September / October 2022