Precast Educational Athletic Facilities

Athletic facilities are unique structures in the fact that they need to house thousands of people for major events sometimes multiple times a week while lasting through years of continued use and being exposed to the elements. To achieve this level of capability, athletic facilities need to be built to last using high-quality materials that require little maintenance. Precast is the perfect solution for these facilities to help them stand a lifetime and be prominent structures on school campuses.

Little Maintenance

Precast inherently requires little maintenance once constructed. Structures made from precast can last decades before any kind of maintenance is needed. There are also innovative techniques such as the use of self-cleaning admixtures which keep precast looking new without any additional effort.

High Durability

Precast athletic facilities have several advantages regarding durability.  Outside facilities such as stadiums and bleachers will be able to withstand extreme weather events such as snow, rain, high heat, seismic events, and hurricanes without sacrificing their structural stability.  Precast also helps these facilities hold up against constant wear and tear from students and event attendees.  

Other athletic facilities such as indoor gyms can not only be used for athletic events but also double as storm shelters when built with precast.  They can serve as FEMA centers in areas where extreme weather is common and can be used to protect both students and the surrounding community.

Cost-Benefit

Schools often have very tight budgets and are looking to get the most out of their construction projects. Although precast can be slightly more expensive in the short term, in the long term the benefits greatly outweigh the initial cost. Schools will save money in construction costs, maintenance, and the reduced need for renovations. Because precast structures last decades, schools won’t need to consider replacing these structures for many years. Also, precast can help schools be more energy-efficient helping them cut costs on heating and cooling.

Safety

Schools across the country put a lot of value on the safety they can bring to their students. Precast athletic facilities can help schools provide the level of safety they are looking for. Precast is inherently fire resistant and can be built to help stop the spread of fires within the facilities should they happen. Designers can also work with precast to help create safe spaces and restricted lines of sight in the event of unauthorized personnel on campus.

Case Studies

Producers in the PCI Gulf South regions have worked with both K-12 and high educational clients to create athletic facilities that met their unique needs.

LSU Basketball Practice Facility

This project consisted of a 58,960 gross square foot addition to the existing Division 1 University Basketball Arena. Precast was used to create a building form that acted as a natural extension to the futuristic form of the original arena and was used alongside a self-cleaning photocatalytic titanium dioxide admixture, to resist the impact of the adverse climate.

Dudy Noble Field

Built in the 1980s, MSU’s Dudy Noble Field was in need of modern renovations. 99 precast panels covering almost 8,000 SF with architectural precast concrete were used with an acid-etched finish to mimic white limestone.

LSU Tiger Stadium

21 pylons to act as gateways and ticket collection areas for the LSU Tiger Stadium. Precast helped complete the project on a tight project schedule, on a constricted site, with major architectural exposure.