What to consider when choosing a locker for your athletic facilities
A locker room is the MVP of athletic facilities. It’s a home away from home for team members. It’s a study area and a social club of sorts. It’s a place to keep players organized and prepared. It’s also a critical piece of retention and recruitment. A modern, comfortable locker room makes athletes feel valued, and an outdated locker room can be a dealbreaker for new recruits with multiple teams to choose from.
With so much riding on this space, facilities managers need to weigh all of their options when making locker room renovations. Legends Lockers has worked with top teams across the country to create spaces where players thrive. We always start renovations by asking stakeholders to consider the following three questions as they make decisions.
What kind of functionality do your athletes require?
Locker rooms are a hub of activity, and they have to be versatile, ergonomic, and practical. Players need to have space for storage and space for socializing. They need all the tech features that they’ve gotten used to at home. Ask yourself the following questions as you consider the wide range of locker options available to your team:
- Will the locker choice meet the needs of my student athletes?
- Is it large enough for your largest players?
- Does it have the accessories that today’s student athletes want, such as charging outlets with USB ports, lock boxes to safeguard valuables, and enough storage for all their gear?
- Are the lockers easily cleaned and durable?
- Is there ample ventilation to prevent mildew and other smelly problems that crop up in locker rooms?
What kind of aesthetic reflects our team’s culture?
Looks may not be everything, but they are a thing you need to consider when renovating your athletic facilities’ locker room. NSS Sports Magazine, which is dedicated to the culture and aesthetics of athletics, described locker rooms of the past as “bare and soulless environments.” Today, locker rooms are a featured stop on any school tour. A well-designed space boosts morale, entices recruits, and reflects the team’s values and culture. When choosing among your design options, consider the following:
- Which finish best reflects our facilities’ overall style, for example: a more classical maple, red oak, or mahogany veneer or a sleek high pressure laminate in the team’s colors?
- What sort of hardware details will add style and functionality?
- How can we integrate branding elements while keeping a clean, modern appearance?
- Do we want doors to hide clutter?
- Will we use feature lighting to enhance the energy of the locker room?
- How will we personalize the space for individual players, e.g., unique nameplates and graphics?
How can we make the most out of our budget?
Facilities managers have to consider more than functionality and appearance, of course. They also have to think about the bottom line: how much is this going to cost? While accessories, material, and finish will impact the price, Legends Lockers has a wide selection of options, creating a range of price points for every project. When you’re thinking about your locker room budget, remember to consider the following:
- What is the actual cost of the new locker room over its entire lifespan?
- Will we have to replace cheaper materials sooner, raising the cost over time?
- What materials will provide the most durable, long-lasting locker room?
- How can we future-proof our locker room design to save money over the long term?
Give your locker room renovation some thought, and then give Legends Lockers a call.
At Legends Lockers, we design, build, and renovate custom locker rooms for schools, colleges and universities, health and country clubs, and professional sports teams. We listen to your requirements and customize solutions to create ergonomic communal spaces that boost morale, eliminate clutter, and elevate your establishment. Ready to take your locker room to the next level? Give us a call or drop an email today to get started.
Your Legends Lockers Admin Team
admin@legendscustomlockers.com
844-534-3634
