Current Trends in Use, Design/ Construction, and Funding of Sport Facilities

This research examined the current trends associated with multi-use sport facilities. Areas examined included facility usage; design/construction components, such as architectural appearance, configuration/shape, and the number of levels/floors; and funding for construction cost. Significant information was obtained by the means of an extensive questionnaire mailed to 250 sport facility managers/ directors throughout the United States. The survey was completed and returned by 132 respondents for analysis and inclusion in this research. Respondents indicated the major use of both professional and college/university facilities to be the sport of basketball. These figures were 31% and 27% respectively for use. Private (non-tax supported) facilities had fitness/health activities as their major use 67% or the time. Public (tax- supported) facilities had recreational activities as their main usage 72% of the time. Data on the architectural appearance indicated that contemporary/modern architecture was used in 46% of sport facilities. Facilities tend to be built on two or three levels/floors 66% of the time. The configuration/shape of the average multi-use facility was rectangular 48% of the time. In addition, data indicated sport facilities were funded by some type of state funds 22% of the time. These major aspects were not only found to appear in the average facility but were also shown by support evidence to appear in many major and award-winning sport facilities.