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Feasibility Study of a Potential New Youth and Amateur Sports Complex in Mounds View, Minnesota ●Page 44
<br />INDUSTRY TRENDS4
<br />The following present some noteworthy trends relative to design and capabilities of indoor sports tourism-focused facilities:
<br />CRITICAL MASS OF HIGH QUALITY
<br />PLAYING SURFACES
<br />TURF FIELDS
<br />(INDOOR & OUTDOOR)
<br />EMPHASIS ON PARTNERSHIPS
<br />CREATION/ENHANCEMENT OF QUALITY
<br />SUB-DESTINATIONS
<br />INCORPORATION OF AMENITIES
<br />PERFORMANCE CENTERS
<br />& E-SPORTS
<br />RESTAURANTS/CAFES/FOOD COURTS
<br />COMPLEMENTARY ANCILLARY DEVELOPMENT
<br />•Critical mass of high-quality courts, fields
<br />and playing surfaces in one location.
<br />•Maximization of local uses and sports
<br />tourism.
<br />•Flexibility to accommodate the widest
<br />variety of uses.
<br />•Synthetic turf (indoor & outdoor) is
<br />increasing accepted and expected by most
<br />tournament and local sports/rec activity.
<br />•Growing emphasis on partnerships (equity,
<br />sponsorship and ancillary development).
<br />•Focus on creating/enhancing the quality of
<br />sub-destinations surrounding facility
<br />complexes.
<br />•Incorporation of quality amenities &
<br />specialty components:
<br />o Performance centers
<br />o eSports capabilities/technology
<br />o Restaurants/cafes/food courts
<br />o Fitness & wellness
<br />o Leisure amenities (child play areas,
<br />mini-golf, AR tech)
<br />o Ancillary development
<br />(hotels, retail, attractions)
<br />The “state-of-the-industry”in terms of the physical product aesthetics and functionality of youth and amateur sports facilities has
<br />continued to advance year-over-year in communities throughout the country.Organizers for youth and amateur sports activities
<br />increasingly prefer,and oftentimes demand,modern facility complexes with state-of-the-industry playing surfaces,equipment and
<br />amenities.Beyond attracting higher numbers of teams,athletes,tournaments,visitors and economic impact,modern youth and
<br />amateur sports facilities often offer significant advancements in operating efficiencies and enhanced revenue generation
<br />opportunities,as compared to previous generations of facilities.Synthetic turf is increasingly utilized for both outdoor and indoor
<br />sports facility projects,delivering significant advantages over other surfaces,particularly for sports tourism activity.The following
<br />present some noteworthy trends relative to design and capabilities of indoor turf sports facilities:
<br />1.FACILITY DESIGN ELEMENTS:A typical indoor turf facility has a space of at least 75’x185’,with the ability to increase the size
<br />of the playing surface to accommodate a variety of user groups,with a minimum ceiling height of thirty feet.The minimum
<br />space allotted to turf in a given facility should be no less than 15x60 feet or 900 square feet of turf space.However,those
<br />spaces can only support training and clinics,and no competitions or leagues because of the lack of space,and,in fact,are
<br />typically located inside of fitness centers as an alternative place to do focused training.
<br />2.UPKEEP:Turf,like any other exercise facility,requires regular cleaning and maintenance should occur to keep the facility
<br />attractive and inviting.In addition,the use of cleats on turf,regardless of type,reduces its lifespan by 50 percent so it is
<br />generally recommended to require use of turf shoes to not need to consistently replace turf padding.
<br />3.COST:There are two primary upfront costs regarding installation of turf,the drainage base and the turf itself.The drainage
<br />base lies below the turf and allows any liquids to seep through and reach the drainage system without getting trapped.These
<br />systems can last 20-30 years,and cost approximately $4 per square foot.The turf panels themselves are laid atop the
<br />drainage base,a conservative price estimate for cost is $5 per square foot of turf space.All in all,for a typically 75’x185’turf
<br />field,installation costs can range from $120,000 to $180,000.
<br />4.DURABILITY:The industry standard for a given turf field’s life span is between eight and twelve years,though with proper
<br />maintenance and cleaning fields have been shown to last longer.
<br />5.ANCILLARY REVENUES:To generate additional revenues for turf facilities,a variety of programs should be considered such as
<br />membership fees,admissions fees,seniors'programs,in-house tournaments and mother’s programs.Additionally,more
<br />traditional revenue sources such as corporate partnerships (sponsorship and advertising),food service (concessions and
<br />hospitality)and event space rental for non-sports activities (e.g.,consignment sales,meetings,team building events,etc.)can
<br />provide important support to year-round operations.
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