Home field advantage is something all teams thrive on. The stadiums, fields, and surfaces we play on have a direct impact on our performance. For public school districts striving to enhance their athletic facilities, partnering with an architectural and engineering firm that understands the intricacies of the design process is key. Proper material selections, drainage systems, and sport-specific sub-grades all play a vital role in the overall quality of an athletic facility.
Experience Across Diverse Athletic Projects
Widseth has extensive experience working on a wide range of athletic projects for schools. These include:
- Aquatic Centers: Designing state-of-the-art pools and aquatic facilities for training, competition, and recreation. Notable project experience includes the Brainerd High School Aquatic Center and Century High School Pool Addition in Rochester.
- Baseball and Softball Fields: Creating fields that provide great experiences for athletes, coaches, and spectators with optimal drainage and durability. Discover the improvements made to Minnewaska Area Schools Baseball Stadium and Tink Larson Community Field.
- Turf Projects: Installing durable and low-maintenance synthetic turf for football, soccer, baseball, and multi-purpose fields. View a gallery of our most recent turf project, Knute Nelson Memorial Park, below.
- Gymnasium Additions: Expanding or upgrading indoor facilities to accommodate diverse sports and community events. Widseth recently designed a much-needed gym addition for Marshall County Central Schools.
- Tennis Courts: Designing courts with superior surfaces to enhance playability and longevity.
- Grandstands: Creating spectator seating that prioritizes safety, comfort, and accessibility.
- Track Surfaces: Designing track and field facilities that provide durable surfaces for young athletes.
- Drainage Improvements: Addressing water management issues to protect fields and other facilities from damage.
By leveraging this breadth of experience, Widseth will help you come up with a solution that fits your school district and your community. View project photo galleries and videos of athletic facility projects.
Minnewaska Area Schools Baseball Stadium.
Engaging the Community in the Process
Improving athletic facilities is not just about design and construction—it’s about creating spaces that reflect the values and aspirations of the entire community. Widseth excels at gathering input from key stakeholders, including students, staff, parents, and residents. Through workshops, surveys, and open forums, Widseth facilitates meaningful discussions that help shape the final design, ensuring it aligns with the community’s vision.
Design and Development Services
Widseth’s multidisciplinary approach means school districts can rely on them for every stage of the project, including:
- Environmental Assessments: Identifying and mitigating potential environmental impacts if expanding the footprint of your facility poses concerns.
- Land Surveying: Accurately surveying the property to inform design and construction decisions.
- Building and Site Design: Crafting innovative designs that maximize functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. Widseth offers architecture; landscape architecture; interior design; and civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
- Construction Administration: Checking to see that design intent is achieved and the project is progressing in a timely manner.
By offering end-to-end services, Widseth simplifies the process for school districts, allowing administrators to focus on other priorities while ensuring the project is in good hands.
Brainerd High School Aquatic Center.
Benefits of Upgraded Athletic Facilities
Investing in improved athletic facilities offers numerous advantages for school districts, including:
- Enhanced Student Experience: Modern, well-maintained facilities provide students with safe, high-quality environments for physical education and extracurricular activities.
- Increased Community Pride: State-of-the-art facilities serve as a source of pride for the entire community, fostering school spirit and engagement.
- Improved Recruitment and Retention: Attractive athletic amenities can help schools attract and retain talented students, staff, and coaches.
- Revenue Generation: Facilities designed for multipurpose use can host tournaments and events, generating additional income for the district.
Do Your Athletic Facilities Need Some Attention?
Let’s talk about how we can help you get the most out of your athletic facilities and plan for future improvements. Contact us to set up a listening session for free!
