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Sports Facility Equipment

How do you figure out what sports equipment you need for your new sports facility? And how should you pay for it? Here are some tips for planning to buy and selecting the best equipment for your start-up business.

Sports Equipment with tennis racket and balls

Sports Facility Equipment: What and How to Buy

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What Equipment do I Need for my Sports Facility Start-Up?

How do you figure out what sports equipment you need for your new sports facility? And how should you pay for it? Here are some tips for selecting the best equipment for your start-up business.

Make a List of Equipment You’ll Need

Look at the activities you described in the “products and services” section of your mission section. What’s the minimum amount of equipment you need to offer those products and services? Make a list — and keep it simple. Upgrades and new features can always be added later. Stick to the essentials and save your cash for operating expenses and emergencies.

You’ll probably need some combination of this material and gear if you’re opening a baseball and athletic training facility:

  • Turf
  • Netting
  • Pitching machines
  • Baseballs
  • Staff computers and other technology
  • Desks and furniture
  • Weight room, weights, fitness equipment
  • Signage

Review your list. Each piece of major equipment should have a clear spot in your business plan and its own mini-business plan. Rethink whether you should invest in a piece of equipment if it can’t easily cover its own costs.

Find the Best Ways to Buy

You have your list of essential equipment. The next step is to find the best and most affordable way to get each piece. Here are some guidelines:

  • Are you good with home projects and construction? Consider buying new if you’re not a “do-it-yourselfer.” This is not the time to try to become a handyperson. The professional installation costs and warranties included in the price of new equipment can be well worth it. Don’t take risks with the important stuff.
  • Buying used is the best way to go if you are a “do-it-yourselfer.” eSoft Planner’s team of experts can advise you on great deals for used pitching machines and fitness equipment.
  • Can’t afford new? Consider financing. Remember, cash is king. Look for a financing deal if you can’t afford the full cost of new equipment. Rates will depend on the current market, your credit score, and the type of equipment you want to finance. For example, it’s easier to get a good rate on equipment that a bank could sell if you defaulted — such as a pitching machine.
  • Be careful and get referrals. Many sports facility owners delay their openings because of problems with their suppliers. Don’t base your choice on price alone. Get referrals from people you trust!

Save as Much as You Can

Here are some ways to save on equipment when starting out:

  • This is a gold mine for deals on used weights and strength training equipment.
  • Turf fragments. You may be able to use leftover fragments instead of paying full price if your turf area is small enough.
  • Comparing offers. Quote as many manufacturers as you can for the big items. Don’t forget to consider the cost of shipping, installation, and maintenance when you get the quotes!
  • Negotiation and patience. Find a space that was previously a sports center but has closed down. The owners are likely anxious to get rid of the responsibility of the building and get back some of their investment. Be willing to negotiate. You can offer to get their lease — and all their equipment for pennies on the dollar. They’ll likely agree rather than pay another month’s rent and utilities. Patience pays off!

For More Information

Contact us if you need advice or have any questions on buying sports facility equipment. We pride ourselves on the personal feel of our customer service and consultation.

Most of our staff has experience picking the best equipment for sports facilities while working as athletic coaches or staff instructors. Request a free demo to learn how eSoft Planner helps clients succeed by sharing our knowledge, experience, and industry best practices

Sports Facility Operating Strategy on Court

The Third Step in Your Sports Facility Business Plan

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Creating a Sports Facility Operating Strategy

This is the third in a series of posts on creating a business plan for a sports facility. This is about creating a sports facility operating strategy

You’ve already established a summary of business objectives and details of how you plan to introduce your sports facility to the community. It’s time to describe your facility’s operations. This step in your sports facility business plan has two parts: the physical building and equipment and the facility’s human resources or staff.

Part 1: Infrastructure

The Space – Describe your ideal physical building for your sports facility. Make sure to include:

  • The facility’s square footage
  • A few sentences about what makes it ideal
  • A list of both monetary and temporal costs of the purchase or rental and maintenance of your physical facility (including cleaning, estimated repairs, and utility costs)

If you don’t have your site finalized yet, you can put estimates into this section.

The Equipment – Describe the equipment you will need to run the facility and discuss how you will use it. List estimated costs, both upfront and ongoing, including taxes, shipping, maintenance and installation.

Here’s an example of an introduction to the infrastructure portion of your operations plan:

DNA Sports Center’s facility features an open turf field that can be split into various pitching tunnels and batting cages. It also features a strength training room, a staff office and a WIFI-enabled waiting area for parents. Because we are operating out of a previous fitness facility, our physical costs will be kept to a minimum by taking advantage of existing resources. The following equipment will need to be purchased and installed: (include a list of equipment and costs).

Part 2: Staff

Describe the staff positions at your facility. Make sure to list the job titles and include:

  • Specific job duties
  • Weekly hours for each position
  • Wage ranges
  • Staff payment methods

Certainly, you should briefly note your sports facility’s hours of operation and describe when services would be offered to maximize revenue.

Here’s an example of an introduction to the staff portion of your operations plan:

DNA Sports Center will hire qualified candidates for the following positions: Office Manager, Speed and Agility Program Director / Sales Director, Director of Baseball Operations, Director of Midwest Prospects (an elite baseball team). The rest of our staff, including sports-specific instructors, will be considered contractors. (Include the list of roles.)

Conclusion

Your sports facility operating strategy does not have to be elaborate, but it does need to support your vision. By following the steps for describing your operational strategy, you are well-positioned for the next step of your business plan – developing a financial strategy.

The expert team at eSoft Planner has worked with thousands of sports facility owners just like you. We know what it takes. Our implementation team excels at helping you use the tools to make your dream a success. We love to hear about your plans, and we want to be a partner in your vision.

Start the conversation today! Contact us for a custom demo.