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<title>Athletic Business - High School Sports - Board member buy-in for facility improvements - Messages</title>
<link>http://www.athleticbusiness.com/forum/topic158-board-member-buyin-for-facility-improvements.aspx</link>
<description>Athletic Business - High School Sports - Board member buy-in for facility improvements - Messages</description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:31:50 GMT</pubDate>
<lastBuildDate>Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:31:50 GMT</lastBuildDate>
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<link>http://www.athleticbusiness.com/forum/topic158-.aspx</link>
<title>Message from QandA</title>
<description><![CDATA[Joe  The answers already provided map out a tremendous pathway for overcoming your challenges. My contribution would offer: I have always had a strong belief in completing a powerful vision for the future combined with business plan substantiated with facts to support your proposal. I like to win friends and influence people through reminding them of the successes enjoyed; showing positive results of previous investments builds confidence. When our facility in Calgary (now called Talisman Centre)wanted to expand by 80,000+ SF we also devised a strategy to win support from each and every board member. This included anticipating objections and then devising tactics on how to convert the skeptics in the crowd. We  demonstrated through a well crafted and articulated plan how we would get positive results. Finally we toured other facilities, both virtually and through in person visits. <br><br><div class='signature'>Bernie Asbell, CEO<br>Asbell Management Innovations, B. C.</div>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:31:50 GMT</pubDate>
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<link>http://www.athleticbusiness.com/forum/topic158-.aspx</link>
<title>Message from QandA</title>
<description><![CDATA[Unfortuantely, you are a victim of your surroundings.  The School District you work for is like many of the other school districts of that area.  It is not a county system with a pool of funds.  School Revinues come from local taxpayers (who are 100% anti tax weather real or percieved) and the rest comes from the state.  The school board is totally paranoid that spending state money on capital projects will get them in trouble at the state level.   I would consider outside revinue sources.  Naming rights, even though for a high school facility,may help to raise some interest and revinue.  My second suggestion would be to consider a steel building/pole building.  These can be put up relatively cheaply (if $200,000 is cheap) and interior framing and room layout could be done by you and your booster club.  Since it is free standing, you could lay it out however you would want, with limited construction experience.  A high school here in south LA had many of teh same problems and did this.  It has worked out well.  <br><br><div class='signature'>Matt Stumpf, Teacher/ATC<br>Doyle High School, LA</div>]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:29:42 GMT</pubDate>
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<link>http://www.athleticbusiness.com/forum/topic158-.aspx</link>
<title>Message from QandA</title>
<description><![CDATA[The answers given thus far are terrific and will help you tremendously in your quest.  What I wish to share with you is a thought/presentation process that will assist you in giving your presentation and being able to justify everything you present and say.  I call this process the "Quick Check."  In your presentation, you must be able to answer four questions...and answer them extremely well.  These four questions are:    1. What are the compelling reasons? (for your facility improvements/renovations)  2. What are the facts?  (all the related data...current status of facilities, comparisons with other schools, etc.)  3. What resources will we need to make the plans happen?  (where will the funding come from? Will there be any assistance from the private sector? etc.)  4. How will this make a difference?  (Why is it good for our school, programs, kids?  How will this help or assist us academically?  What will be the impact upon the community?  How will this impact safety and security? etc.)    This has worked well for me in any kind of presentation I have had to make to my board.  Best of luck...I hope this helps. <br><br><div class='signature'>Bill Utsey, Director of Athletics<br>Greenville County Schools, SC</div>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:56:53 GMT</pubDate>
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<link>http://www.athleticbusiness.com/forum/topic158-.aspx</link>
<title>Message from QandA</title>
<description><![CDATA[Hi Joe,  Just a few things-- do get the correct cost estimates for the project; do a comparison study(with the correct numbers) to show how certain other facilities, in your geographic area, are making it with rentals, tournaments, special events, etc.; show clearly the timelines of how the money spent will be paid off; rally the PTO/PTA and get their buy-in and then have them pressure the Board-- outside pressure works better than internal pressure; seek alternate funding through corporations, local benefactors; start a fundraising effort through the PTO/PTA, Lions Club, Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.; to push it even further get the fire inspector, building inspector to not compromise on safety and write up a detailed report of the hazards.  Best regards.<br><br><div class='signature'>Seve Ghose, Services Manager<br>Portland Parks and Recreation, Oregon</div>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:26:42 GMT</pubDate>
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<link>http://www.athleticbusiness.com/forum/topic158-.aspx</link>
<title>Message from QandA</title>
<description><![CDATA[Sounds like after years of neglect, it is now time to "pay the piper" and it hurts. Some possible strategies:  1) The athletic facility is the "classroom" of the athletic team. Athletics is an extracurricular activity, however, we would not allow our classrooms to deteriorate to the point where teaching can not be effectively done, we should not allow our athletic facilities to deteriorate to embarrasing and unsafe condition. The athletic facility is a learning laboratory just as any other classroom is. You can further justify the expense if classes are indeed held at the facility (especially a gym or track facility). Get them to understand this is not just an "athletics" issue but an educational issue as well.     Additionally, with significant improvements the facility may even turn out to be a revenue producer, as it can be rented out to other schools, or community organizations, or youth leagues that are charged a rental fee for use of the fieldhouse. Certainly this revenue will not match what the cost of upgrading/building the facility will be, but there can be some offset of expenses, which again is not possible with other facilities or even classrooms. Turn the facilty into a revenue producer and a community/recreation facility with reasonable use that can help justify the cost to upgrade.  Possibly also look for grants that are available to specifically enhance the opportunities for girls, or minorities, or a certain sport to use the facility. Usually this can take place with a minimumof disruption to the "regular" schedule.    <br><br><div class='signature'>James Cox, Athletics Director<br>Miami Dade College, Fla</div>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:22:23 GMT</pubDate>
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<link>http://www.athleticbusiness.com/forum/topic158-.aspx</link>
<title>Message from QandA</title>
<description><![CDATA[Why won't they support it....what are the real reasons?<br><br><div class='signature'>Tim Roshong, Ex Dir.<br>Edgewood Community Center, Ohio</div>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:13:26 GMT</pubDate>
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<link>http://www.athleticbusiness.com/forum/topic158-.aspx</link>
<title>Message from QandA</title>
<description><![CDATA[Having your numbers in order is very important, not only in costs but also student/team/town usage numbers. <br><br>I would also include possibilities in income or increased income for the facility by hosting invitationals or renting to local clubs and traveling programs. Take into account what schools in  your area are doing, so you may need to look more on a state level as far as upgrades in athletic facilities and make a comparative study.<br><br><div class='signature'>Kevin , Director of Athletics<br>Lake Forest Academy, Illinois </div>]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat, 08 Mar 2008 11:55:49 GMT</pubDate>
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<link>http://www.athleticbusiness.com/forum/topic158-.aspx</link>
<title>Message from QandA</title>
<description><![CDATA[I have been there on a couple of occasions.  It helps to set up visits to other facilities - I have taken Board members to Colorado to see facilities and the Missouri Design School.  Also, show them examples of other schools who set themselves apart by having quality facilities.  Lastly, I would suggest having your numbers in order, what will it cost operate, how will you cover the cost and how will the renovation be funded.  Who in the community will benefit - can it be rented to make more money?  Good luck. <br><br><div class='signature'>Susan Trautman, Director Parks and Recreation<br> Mo</div>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:54:18 GMT</pubDate>
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<link>http://www.athleticbusiness.com/forum/topic158-.aspx</link>
<title>Message from QandA</title>
<description><![CDATA[I have recently completed a years worth of data collection for a proposed fieldhouse project at our HS.  The last time money was allotted for athletics and locker room improvements was... never.  Our facility was built in 1969 and is a complete mess and absolutely a hazard for our players and opponents.  The members of the board are not excited about spending the necessary $3+ million to do the facility properly, however, this is why we are at this point -- the apathy of the district.  How can I get these board members to understand that a new facility is a wise and necessary investment?<br><br><div class='signature'>Joe Gironda, Director of Athletics<br>Conemaugh Valley HS, PA</div>]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:42:15 GMT</pubDate>
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