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the.client draw up a list which,in the in the process if it will incur hundreds architect or consultant to have a broad event that something has to go, sped- of dollars in costs further down the line and deep knowledge of sports architec- fies what goes first. "Owners sometimes allow a facility to ture. Philip Szostak, director of sport "When you start cutting,you have to be designed that may be contrary to facility architecture at NBBJ in Research have a shopping list In your pocket of their best needs or long-term Interests," Triangle Park,N.C.,says the field is see- things you're willing to give up," says he says."It's like the old adage that build- ing a shift toward coinmunities choos- Wiggins."It helps to have a dollar figure Ing cheaply Is the most expensive way to ing local architects` over more attached to each,which you've worked go.Somebody can cut corners for the well-established firms based farther out with your architect,and make sure sake of the up-front budget,only to be away,something that could partially off- they're prioritized. That way, if you met a few years down the road with hor- set the general rise in sports facility need a small cut or a big cut you have a rendous costs to replace or repair some- expertise seen in the last decade. But separate list for each situation." thing that has worn out way too early." also, he believes, the field is changing '.k Sometimes budgetary realities do • Inexperience. Many facility opera- rapidly enough to render even many force clients and their architects into tors start out without an extensive facil- facility owners'experiences obsolete. the cost-cutting mode, but Wiggins ity planning background, but even the "Even those who have built rec facili- warns against pruning one dollar early most experienced would want their ties before—these facilities have gone through tremendous changes over the �� of "Owners sometimes allow a facility to be designed that may be contrary to their best I f 1 needs or long-term interests." i nlast five years," Szostak says. "They're ng o ■ Bleacher more than recfacility facilities now." "A lot of facility owners are more pro- gram- and finance-oriented, and they really don't know about the bricks and sticks, adds Wiggins. "Hence the importance of a good consultant,some- Pmblems? body who can advise the owner on what choices are the best for them and what decisions they need to avoid mak- ¢ " ing altogether for the sake of the return Get Back on their investment. As a consultant, you cringe when somebody from a in the Game! small town in South Carolina with a lim- ited budget comes to you and says, '1 $ S Replacement boards and want a facility exactly like the one I saw 4 parts from H & H Enterprises in Los Angeles.'It's a virtual impossibil- will return your bleachers to top ity,it flies in the face of the architectural notch condition. We stock industry- axiom that form follows function." standard bleacher boards to fit all •The fast track.For major sports proj- ects, Szostak says, one danger is the I makes—prefinished and ready to install. accelerated schedule that tends to fol- io We also carry hard to find repair parts and accessories for all your low the awarding of a pro sports fran- indoor bleacher needs.One phone call gets you back in the game! chise or the go-ahead from a university committee. "A football stadium has been talked about in Charlotte for almost 10 years, Call but then all of a sudden we get the Car- olina Panthers and we've got to get that stadium built," he says. "There are going to be more mistakes made the faster you go." H & H ENTERPRISES • Old team, new team.Times change THE BLEACHER PEOPLE and methods change—and so do the people involved in the sometimes cir- cuitous world of facility planning.Szostak Phone °1-800-878-7777 says, "I was involved with a project PO Box 585 • Grand Haven, MI 49417• Fax: 616-846-1004 recently where we started off with an owner committee,and one guy who had 32 ATHLETIC BUSINESS August 1995 Cirde 22 an Reply Card