If you run a multipurpose athletic facility, you know operations can get hectic – youth games on the weekends, rec leagues during the week and the occasional presentation thrown in. That demand calls for rigging that you can swap and adjust to keep spectators safe and events running smoothly.
The Case for Vertical Design Elements
When it comes to successfully managing an athletic facility, multifunctionality is the name of the game. It’s common to max out on floor space quickly if you’re using your gym or arena for sports and entertainment. Making the most of your overhead space offers a more convenient option than ground-level storage. Doing so allows you to make the most of your available square footage without having to consider renovation or expansion.
While fixed dividers have their place in athletic facility design, they limit your ability to reconfigure your setup to accommodate multi-game sessions. Working with a ceiling-mounted system lets you reposition your netting as you see fit, helping you stretch your budget further.
Sports Rigging for Multipurpose Facilities
Tension wire grids: These woven steel grids provide walkable, elevated surfaces that allow your team to install and arrange netting, dividers, lighting and audio equipment. They make it easy and safe to access your system without having to rent a lift.
Pipe grids: You can attach a variety of sports netting, curtains and suspended elements to pipe grids. Their high tensile strength makes them ideal for bearing heavy loads and anchoring configurations for multiple athletic events at once.
Retractable divider netting: Available in manual and motorized options, retractable netting can be stored in elevated positions. It’s good for batting cages and for zoning off sections of your gymnasium for different sports, while maintaining sightlines and ball movement.
Suspended equipment storage: Basketball, wrestling, volleyball and other indoor sports come with plenty of equipment. Being able to lift hoops, mats and nets out of the way when they’re not in use streamlines storage so you can reclaim floor space as needed.
How Rigging Transforms Layouts
Multiple configurations: When you affix your netting to the ceiling, you give yourself the freedom to rework your facility’s layout as you see fit. You can go from batting cages to a golf backdrop to a court by simply moving partitions around or rolling them up. That allows you to capitalize on your available space without making structural changes.
Reduced turnover time: Motorized sports rigging reduces the time your staff has to spend collapsing and storing equipment. Retractable nets and mats can be moved with the touch of a button, allowing you to reconfigure your gym in minutes, which is a must if you have multiple sessions or games scheduled in one day.
Maximized revenue per square foot: You don’t have to book your entire facility for a single game or practice session when you can reshape the playing space with overhead rigging.
Planning Your Sports Rigging System
- Assess your facility’s structural limitations. You need to determine what your building can support before you begin designing a sports rigging system. That includes reviewing ceiling height, roof load capacity, existing and potential anchor points and internal systems, like HVAC. Event volume and frequency will also influence what’s required of your infrastructure.
- Bring in an expert. A structural engineer or a rigging specialist will provide you with the insight you need to understand what type of installation is possible. They’ll also provide you with guidance on reinforcement structures, grid layouts and netting types to ensure your design is compatible with your space.
- Develop a custom design. Decide which elements are must-haves for your sports facility and which you can live without. Consider how often you’ll use your equipment and how quickly you’ll need to turn over your configurations. Investing in a high-quality system allows you to keep your operations running more smoothly for longer.
Work with Sports Facility Rigging Professionals
Tiffin Scenic Studios has outfitted a variety of community and professional sports facilities for decades. Our stadium and arena rigging solutions include netting systems, automation and controls, tracks, drapery and more. Review our work and contact us to schedule a consultation.