This post was last updated on January 16th, 2023 at 09:18 am
Indoor sports are a great way to stay active and healthy even when outdoor sports seem impossible. The harsh winters or heavy rainfall often ruin your chances to engage in outdoor physical activities.
In these instances, an indoor space dedicated to sports activities can be a blessing. It is a great way to bring together family, friends, and fellow sportsmen and engage in a friendly competition.
The ideal place for an indoor sports arena is your basement because it is usually out of the way and won’t disrupt your daily activities. Moreover, it is an open space to install any equipment you’d like.
However, you must understand that designing your basement to act as an indoor gym isn’t as simple as you’d think. There are numerous factors that you need to consider.
Here are some ways in which you can design your basement for an indoor sporting event:
1. Make A Plan
The first step in the effective execution of any activity is making a comprehensive plan to do so. When designing your basement for a sporting event, you need to look into everything you might need for the event. You can consult people who have done so or read about it online.
In an indoor sporting event, you must add everything from the management to the sports equipment to the portable restrooms. Look at vendors or companies that provide these services and contact them for a quotation so you can plan the investment for the event accordingly.
For example, American SaniCan rents portable restrooms for sporting events; you can contact them for a quotation and discuss what you’re looking for. In the case of sports equipment, look at vendors who can help you rent the equipment rather than buy it for the event; not only is it a significant investment, but they are also difficult to store.
When you make a plan, look into the controls and contingency. This plan needs to be very extensive and well thought out. You can contact a professional for guidance or explore sample plans online. The more detailed your project is, the easier the execution of the event will become.
2. Choose Durable Flooring
Indoor sports are rigorous activities. It requires a durable flooring space that can withstand the damage done by wear and tear during athletic activities. It is recommended that you survey the market and look for different options.
Turf and rubber flooring are popular because they have outstanding shock absorption and excellent traction. We recommend you do it for them, especially if you plan to have some high-exertion sports activity.
3. Proper Lighting
Sporting events, both in sports stadiums and indoor events, use bright and strong lights like high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps for overhead lighting needs. Any sporting event is incomplete without proper lighting; hence, its importance cannot be stressed enough.
Remember, good lighting creates a good ambiance and energy. It would help if you considered installing bright and energy-efficient options like the HID lamps. You can adjust them according to your lighting needs.
4. Open Space
Sports require an open area so players and athletes can move freely. Sports like basketball, pool, squash, badminton, and even volleyball require a lot of space, and a roomy basement is an ideal choice for this. Without open space, players would feel cramped and limited in their movement. It would make the sporting event bothersome rather than exciting.
Open space also helps you carry out many different sports simultaneously. Moreover, it helps you in ensuring proper ventilation for the event. You can also use a dehumidifier to keep the space dry. Players need it to play comfortably, and improper space and ventilation make it hard for them to perform at their best.
5. Sports Equipment Storage
Proper storage of sports equipment is essential for the smooth functioning of any indoor sports event. The storage area must be designed to be easily accessible for the management of the event and the players. We recommend you choose a space close to the basement for this purpose.
You can store small items like balls, gloves, and nets on shelves or racks. Label them so you can locate them quickly and find them when needed. You can store larger equipment like pads, sticks, bats, and helmets in lockers or cabinets. It would help if you also took the proper security measures to ensure the equipment is safe from theft and breakage.
6. Seating For Spectators
Seating in an indoor sports event, especially in the basement, can be tricky. The main concern is the lower basement ceilings and lack of enough headroom. It makes it difficult for spectators to enjoy the event.
To overcome this, it may be vital to use shorter seating or remove some seating altogether to provide more space for them.
7. Sound-Proof Basement
While this might seem unnecessary, it is one of the most important aspects of a sports event. The acoustics in the basement can make or break the event. Sound tends to echo and also reverberate in the basement, making it difficult for spectators to determine what the commentators are saying.
To address this problem, you might have to install sound-absorbing material on the walls and ceilings. It would ensure that the spectator experience isn’t affected.
8. Safety Measures
Safety measures are paramount in indoor sporting events, especially in a basement. Basements can present many potential dangers. Some key safety considerations include:
• Fire Safety: Basements are often located below ground level, making evacuating more difficult if a fire occurs. Make sure you have functional smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and a marked emergency exit plan.
• Structural Safety: Basements are often older than the building and are seldom renovated. They may not have been designed to meet current building codes. It is essential to ensure that the building’s structure is safe and supports the spectators’ weight and sports equipment.
• Lighting: Poor lighting can increase the risk of falls and accidents. There must be adequate lighting throughout the basement, including stairwells and emergency exits. You need to ensure that emergency lights are also preset.
• Ventilation: Poor ventilation can lead to poor air quality and may cause health problems for athletes and spectators. It is essential to see proper ventilation throughout the basement, including using exhaust fans, open windows, or air conditioning.
• Crowd Management: Large crowds in a small space can present a safety hazard. It is essential to have a crowd management plan in place, including clearly marked emergency exits and enough staff to manage the crowd.
Bottom Line
When designing a basement for an indoor sporting event, it is vital to consider the specific needs of the athletes and the type of sport that will be played. By incorporating the above elements, you can create a safe, comfortable, and well-suited space for an indoor sports event and ensure it will succeed.
