Play Ball! How to Pick the Perfect Fence for your Sports Facility

A modern and safe sports ground needs a strong, quality fence. From local community facilities to large stadiums, participants and the public must be protected from harm.

When designing your playing field, a sports facility fence should be at the center of the design process. We take you through the options available for creating a long-lasting, secure fence that will really set your grounds apart from the others.

Safety in Design

Safety should be at the heart of any sports field design. It should take precedence overcapacity, facilities, and aesthetics. The type of sport should be taken into account, or in the case of multi-purpose fields, a number of them.

The usual design of a community-style sports facility fence is a chain link with soft mesh. They are often built on rectangular or oval designs and can be multi-purpose. They will have a gate leading on or off the field, to protect spectators from all areas that projectiles such as balls may escape. 

Why Install A Fence?

There are several practical reasons a fence would benefit your facility. We explain them as follows;

Outlining Boundaries of the Field

The fence can help outline the boundary of a sports field. Many multi-purpose pitches will have lines for differing courts on them, and the fence acts as a physical marker to the edge of play. It can also stop balls and pucks hurtling long distances over fields, halting the game while they are retrieved.

Add Aesthetic Design to the Facility

The correct fence can really compliment and enhance the design of your facility. It will give the impression of modernity and professionalism to any visiting teams or supporters. 

To Increase Safety

The most important reason you should install a fence for sports is to increase safety. It will prevent any projectiles, such as pucks or balls, from entering the terrace and will allow for harmless rebounds. It protects nearby properties and road users from damage. 

On busy fixtures, projectiles can leave the field and hit spectators. This can lead to serious injury and death depending on the type of sport being played. Installing a fence will protect you from liability and may even bring down insurance costs.

Controlled Access

Fencing your sports facility is important as it allows you to control access. Even trespassers with the best of intentions, who simply want to play a game, can cause damage to your field and leave it in a terrible state. Many illegal entrants will not even care about your pitch and may even intentionally set out to cause damage.

Fencing and gating the sports field allows you to control access during designated hours. It also stops children from using the field who may injure themselves while playing unsupervised. 

Wildlife Deterrent

Even if you remove unauthorized human access from the equation, you may still get visitors in the form of wildlife and pets. Dogs, cats, raccoons, bears, birds, squirrels, and others can all cause damage to the court and property. Fencing can be dug into the ground to stop animals burrowing underneath should you need it. 

Choosing a Sports Facility Fence

Each field will have an individual specification. This will be determined by the environment surrounding and the sports that will be played on the field. 

Fence Material

The body of your fence can be several alternatives. One option is simple netting, which will stop a ball from leaving the court but will have a lot of movement. It can also need replacing quite frequently. 

For anyone who may be using their field for high-speed, contact sports, we would not recommend a netting. Anyone who hits the fence at impact may become tangled and possibly tear down the netting inadvertently. Go for a chain or mesh fence in this case. 

The second option is a wire mesh. When coated correctly, this can last for a long period of time and is extremely durable. 

Finally, you could opt for a chain-link fence. Coated, this will also last a long time though it will require tightening periodically. 

If your fence is outdoor, it will always be better to go for a coated mesh or chain. Summer heat and winter frost will damage uncoated materials quickly, leaving your fence look old and decrepit in just a few short years.

Measurements

The fence should always match the shape of your court. It often pays to have a boundary of a meter or two between the edge of your marked playfield and the fence. This allows for any rules the return a ball to play (such as a throw-in when playing Soccer). 

The height of your fence can vary. Anything from 2.5m to 5m is usually chosen. If your sport is primarily played on the ground, you can select lower fences with aerial sports needing a higher placement. 

Always check the material before installing the fence to see if it allows you to see through. This is so spectators and coaches can watch the match with protection. Most fences will allow full visibility. 

Discuss it with a Professional

Now that you have your options, you should be able to make an informed decision on what fence is best for your sports facility. Take into account the sports being played, the surrounding environment and safety, and you should have a good idea of what you need.

If you are looking to purchase a sports facility fence or just want to discuss it further, contact the Rio Grande Fence Company. We have been serving the Kentucky area since 1960 and would be happy to assist in any fence needs you have. Send us an email or call today to get started on safeguarding your facility!