A Changing Role For Locker Rooms
October 3, 2023 · Insights
By Rachel Crafton-Stiver, AIA, NCARB
Locker rooms on today’s campuses have become a hub for many activities and purposes.
Being competitive on the field of play begins in the locker room. This is true not only for athletes, who increasingly rely on these facilities and their amenities to prepare and train for competition, but also for the schools they represent.
High performing athletic facilities are critical to recruiting and producing leading athletic programs. But the arms race of constantly out-performing rivals with newer, cutting-edge facilities is not sustainable, at any level.
One approach to keeping a school competitive is pursuing a holistic approach to its locker room facilities. As with any attempt to be all-inclusive, versatility and tailored customization to the school it serves are, of course, key.
The role of the locker room has changed significantly over the years. These spaces once served primarily as changing rooms and private places to seek treatment. But today’s locker rooms are a hub for many activities and purposes, some directly related to athletic endeavors and others more attuned to enhancing the student-athlete experience.
Beyond the general expansion of purpose and need, how a particular locker room effectively functions varies widely based on several factors that are not limited to a particular sport or season.
Rachel Crafton-Stiver
Sports Architect
Tel: 334-271-3200
Email: rachel.stiver@gmcnetwork.com