Design Checklists - Sport & PE

Things to consider:

• Location and access including parking, cycling and pedestrian routes.
• Flexible changing spaces - how will you configure them?
• Separate wet and dry? Male and female? Two blocks or smaller team changing? Buffer changing for when there are single sex competitions?
• Does the hall require separately controlled heating, lighting and alarms so that it can be accessed independently from the rest of the site?
• Do you require natural light?
• How will the space be ventilated?

You must consider which sports will be played in your hall and at what level of competition. The standard sports hall dimensions set out in BB98 of 18m x 33m x 7.6m high may not be suitable for the requirements of all sports depending on the level at which competition will be played. This document provides you with court and pitch sizes for each sport and will help you specify the right dimensions for the level of intended use. Click here to download

Tick these off when you've considered them.
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Do specify clear signage and external lighting

Do specify easy access to external sports provision

Do specify plenty of storage including separate indoor and outdoor storage and lockable storage for clubs to use. SE recommends a minimum of 12.5% of the teaching space. Consider fire containment issued for mat storage. You may also wish to specify the shape and dimensions of the storage.

Do make sure ALL doors are big enough for large equipment such as trampolines.

Do provide separate toilets outside of the changing area for spectators, visitors and referees.

Do provide a reception, informal social and refreshment area for extended school use.

Tick these off when you've considered them.
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Don't hide the Sports Hall around the rear of the site if it is to be used by the community as well.

Don't allow for sharp corners, edges or protrusions, which could cause injury on impact.

Don't forget the storage requirements of specialist maintenance equipment such as floor cleaners for your sprung floor and cherry pickers/ elevated platforms for changing lights

Please refer to Sport England Technical Guidance