Updating Athletic Facilities on a Limited Budget

Upgrading athletic facilities is a critical part of supporting student-athletes, ensuring their safety, and expanding opportunities across sports programs. However, financial constraints often limit how quickly or extensively schools can pursue these improvements. The good news is that with strategic planning, prioritization and creative fundraising, institutions can make meaningful progress even on tight budgets.

Creating Additional Space to Support Your Growing Athletic Program
As athletic programs grow – whether by adding new teams, increasing participation or enhancing training offerings – existing facilities can quickly become insufficient. Improving infrastructure to provide more space is essential not only for performance, but also for morale.

One approach is reconfiguring existing spaces rather than constructing new ones. Under-used areas such as storage rooms, old classrooms, or even under-utilized outdoor space can be repurposed into weight rooms, practice courts or team meeting areas. Movable partitions or modular equipment can maximize flexible use of shared spaces.

When modest expansion is possible, multi-use facilities should be prioritized. Investing in turf fields, for instance, allows multiple sports to practice year-round, offering a better return on investment.

Improving and Updating Equipment, Facilities for Better Performance and Safety
Worn or outdated equipment can impair athlete development and significantly increase the risk of injury. Updating weightlifting equipment, gym mats, helmets and padding can make a tangible difference in both safety and performance.

One cost-effective strategy is phased purchasing – replacing equipment over a three-to-five-year cycle based upon need and risk, starting with items that directly impact safety. Schools can also consider refurbished equipment from reputable suppliers, which can cost significantly less while still meeting safety standards.

Establishing relationships with local businesses or alumni- owned companies might provide access to discounts or donations of lightly used gear. Schools can also partner with nearby universities or fitness centers to jointly purchase or share equipment during off-peak times.

Prioritize the highest safety concerns and address them immediately. Examples of this would be broken pulley exercise machines, broken dumb-bells, broken doors and so forth.

Fundraising Beyond the Budget
Even with careful budgeting and creative strategies, many needed improvements may still exceed available funds. Fortunately, there are multiple avenues to raise additional funds for your program:

Alumni and Booster Engagement: Former student-athletes are often passionate about giving back. Launch a targeted fundraising campaign, perhaps highlighting a specific goal like a new scoreboard or locker room upgrade. Personalized recognition, such as naming rights or donor walls, can incentivize giving.

Corporate Sponsorships: Local businesses may be eager to support community athletics in exchange for advertising or community goodwill. Sponsorship packages can include signage, announcements at events, or branded gear.

Grant Opportunities: Many nonprofits and government organizations offer grants for youth sports, health initiatives or infrastructure improvements. Examples include the National Football League Foundation, the United States Soccer Foundation or state-level sports commissions. Having a clear plan, and demonstrating community impact can strengthen your application.

State and Local Political Parties: Depending on where you live, there may also be local and state grants available for health and safety initiatives. It is essential to develop relationships with all government stakeholders to promote a community environment that can lead to obtaining ancillary funds!

Facility Rentals and Partnerships: Renting out athletic facilities to local leagues, camps or adult recreation programs during off-hours can create a revenue stream. Similarly, partnerships with community organizations or local colleges may bring access to shared funding or in-kind support.

Merchandise and Concession Sales: Special-edition merchandise, team-branded apparel and enhanced concession offerings during games can provide additional income, particularly when tied to exciting renovation goals. You can also do limited online “flash” stores so that no excess inventory is held, and only what inventory is sold online goes out!

Establish Relationships with Local Universities: Some colleges at the end of the fiscal school year look to get rid of equipment as they are upgrading their facilities on a yearly basis. This equipment can be purchased at a tremendous cost savings to your district when upgrading on limited funds. When you accept this equipment, it is essential to have a licensed and insured company reinstall it in your facility.

Most athletic administrators face challenges on a daily basis whether it be financial, weather, transportation, issues with communication, deadlines or high expectations. The one common goal is to stay focused on student welfare and safety, and to ensure you provide young people with the best facilities, environment and positive experience possible.

Peter Cardone is the director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics at Uniondale (New York) School District. He is also the vice-president of officials for Nassau County.