It’s Friday evening, and the game is on. The stands are filled, the smell of hotdogs is in the air, the band is playing, the team is warming up, and there are school colors everywhere. It is the place to be!
Athletics and activities play a significant role in student participation, creating incredible experiences for school communities to enjoy. But these events aren’t just about having a good time. According to the National Association of Secondary School Principals, participation can bolster education institutions’ success when it comes to academic performance, class behavior, individual attendance, and student and parent satisfaction.
Determining Funding for Athletics and Activities Facilities
Athletics and activities play a key role in student engagement and success. Considering the benefits of athletics and activities in schools, districts need to provide adequate facilities. But how are school budgets determined for these facilities? It all depends on the following:
- Which athletics and activities are offered
- Expected participation levels
- School sizes
- When practices or rehearsals will be held
- Community expectations
- How many schools will use the facilities
- Whether there’s funding for routine maintenance costs
- And more
Answering questions like this will help districts determine the cost of building or upgrading athletics and activities facilities.
Exploring Other Facility Costs
Districts also need to consider how much school facility maintenance will cost. This includes the price of services (such as floor or track refinishing, bleacher maintenance, sound system repairs, etc.) and products (new filters, lightbulb replacements, cleaning supplies, etc.). Having a handle on these costs early on will help you to avoid any surprises later.
Luckily, asset management companies like Brightly can help reduce school facility maintenance costs through such avenues as work order and maintenance schedule management. “Pay now, or pay more later” is a good mantra to keep in mind when considering maintenance costs, as deferred maintenance is sure to cost more in the long run.
Recouping Facility-Related Costs
When building or upgrading athletics and activities facilities, keep in mind that there are opportunities to recoup costs. To start, facility improvements can attract more visitors. This translates into more revenue from tickets, concessions, merchandise, etc. for school districts.
And with more visitors, advertising can also become a source of income. According to Bryan Nagel, regional manager of Daktronics (a scoreboard and video board manufacturer ), the average school generates $45,000 per year in advertising revenue. Some schools even generate as much as $400,000 per year.
With that revenue, districts can quickly pay for the equipment lease or purchase. Plus, the money generated during the remaining years of the equipment’s service becomes 100% profit. Scoreboards and video boards are the best way to advertise in a school, which is why Daktronics created a program to help schools sell advertising to businesses eager to take advantage of local opportunities.
Once school districts understand the costs associated with building or upgrading athletics and activities facilities, they can then begin planning. There’s no doubt that these facilities significantly impact school communities n a positive way. If districts can recoup their costs, they’ll be well-equipped to turn a profit and reap the benefits of athletics and activities in schools.
