The Home Field Advantage
Friday night football games. Band practices. Community gatherings. Sports facilities are central to the communities they belong to. These spaces are about so much more than just sports.
For many towns, the local high school football field is the main hub. It’s where generations come together to watch games, cheer on their teams, and create a shared history. That’s how it was for me growing up in Derby, Kansas. The football stadium on Friday night was the one place the whole community came together.
My team in MMTH Sports Design designs sports fields and facilities. When designing, we need to ensure that the field or facility works for both the student athletes and the community.
To do that, we need to understand the local culture. For example, a town rich in agriculture might incorporate wheat or corn into its design in some way. We always want to design a sports facility to be both a source of community pride, tradition and a great place to play.
Today, the standards for K-12 sports facilities have been raised. There is a “trickle-down” effect where premium amenities in college sports are increasing the expectations for your local high school gym or field. People now expect a more sophisticated and engaging experience. K-12 schools must rise to that challenge.
That’s where MMTH comes in. We work with schools at every size and level to design and build top-notch fields and facilities. As sports specialists, we leverage our expertise to elevate player performance and improve the fan experience through design.
For example, we ensure the final facility is not only functional for sports but also a modern, sophisticated asset for both the local school and community, but remain mindful of the use of public funds. Multi-use fields (fields that can accommodate different sports), for example, provide schools flexibility and a more efficient use of limited space, allowing them to get more out of every dollar.
When it comes to designing spaces for K-12 schools and their surrounding communities, MMTH Sports Design is a leader in the field.