Getting the square footage to build a full field

[vadyr]

this year we had a building built for us by our school district. it fits a full size field (both player stations) and room for storage and we have some other junk in there. th carpet was layed down in th building by the builders, and we built the field from scratch. it took us like 3 days to build both sides, and it came out really nicely. i can try to get some pictures if you're interested. another suggestion: our school has two gyms and before this building we used half of one of the gyms.

[Ethulin]

Originally Posted by vadyr

this year we had a building built for us by our school district. it fits a full size field (both player stations) and room for storage and we have some other junk in there. th carpet was layed down in th building by the builders, and we built the field from scratch. it took us like 3 days to build both sides, and it came out really nicely. i can try to get some pictures if you're interested. another suggestion: our school has two gyms and before this building we used half of one of the gyms.

Who within the district administration did you approach?

[Jon K.]

We have had a warehouse area donated to us through a local realator. The space is big enough for us plus 40,000 toys(part of the reason for our having it). The other reason and the main reason is that you have to walk through the former woman's restroom to get from one half to the other but we really don't mind and neither do the female team members as they use the former men's restroom now a unisex bathroom.(It has a lock on the door so there is nothing to worry about.) Also our carpet we got either donated or sold to us at a reduced price from a local carpet retailer(it was in 03 so I don't remember exactly). The field part costs were covered by a students father through his business as a donation.

[Ethulin]

Originally Posted by Jon K.

We have had a warehouse area donated to us through a local realator. The space is big enough for us plus 40,000 toys(part of the reason for our having it). The other reason and the main reason is that you have to walk through the former woman's restroom to get from one half to the other but we really don't mind and neither do the female team members as they use the former men's restroom now a unisex bathroom.(It has a lock on the door so there is nothing to worry about.) Also our carpet we got either donated or sold to us at a reduced price from a local carpet retailer(it was in 03 so I don't remember exactly). The field part costs were covered by a students father through his business as a donation.

If we were looking to get such a sponsor who do you approach? A realtor maybe, or the company it's self?

[Jon K.]

Originally Posted by Ethulin

If we were looking to get such a sponsor who do you approach? A realtor maybe, or the company it's self?

With ours we have it through the company itself I believe. Mostly becuase ours is part of a larger building with storefronts and the company is handling the renting of the building for the owner. You might want to try contacting the contacting whoever the person would be for the building and start there and work your way up.

[dhitchco]

Getting space to build a practice field can be done in several ways and has come up on this forum inthe past:

1) Your sponsor company will need to provide the team with a certificate of insurance showing "general liability" coverage. That is the first step.

2) You can scout around for empty retail stores or warehouses near your school and simply call-up the real estate firm. be prepared to fax/e-mail them a one-page description of your team and what you are seeking (e.g. "we need to borrow a space of 10,000 sq. ft for day/evening usage for 4 week period".). Yes, nighttime safety is a concern, so don't go rent a dark, dingy warehouse.....

3) Get-together with other teams in your area and cooperate in seeking a space where you can each have "secret" practice time as well as open practice and scrimmages.

[vadyr]

Originally Posted by Ethulin

Who within the district administration did you approach?

the superintendent really enjoys having our team as a part of the district so we approached him about it. he pushed the plans through and go us our building. if i were you i'd start with whichever administrators really like the time, and if thats all of them, it makes it that much easier