The NIRSA Outstanding Sports Facilities Awards

Applications are due November 1, 2011

Eligibility

To be eligible for the NIRSA Outstanding Sports Facilities Award:

• Applicants must be a current NIRSA Institutional Member.
• Project must be a new construction or an expansion/renovation.
• Project must have been opened between December 16, 2009 and October 31, 2011.
• Project should be valued at or above $2 million (excluding design and land fees) or total 20,000 or more square feet for highest consideration.
• At least 50% of the facility’s net square footage must be intended for recreational sports.

Facilities that have won the award in the past are now eligible to apply for the award again but must meet all general eligibility standards above as well as the following criteria:

• The facility must be at least 10 years removed from winning the award previously
• If the project is a renovation, at least 50% of the original space must be affected and the renovation must show significant change to the space.  Significant change should be addressed in the executive summary, including information about the change/benefit to the program and details about what the renovation added to the space that was not previously available.
• If no renovation is done, the project must include an expansion of at least 50% of the square footage of the original facility.

Indoor facilities are recognized each year, with awards for outdoor facilities given every three years. Applications for outdoor facilities will be accepted in 2013.

Selection Criteria

The selection committee, comprised of the members of the Outstanding Sports Facilities Committee, evaluates each facility for its architectural design, functionality, and how well it meets its intended purpose. Facilities are judged in the following areas:

• Correlation to Campus Master Plan & Mission
• Intended and Actual Impact on the Recreational Program
• Unique Aesthetic of Architectural Features
• Relationship Between Facility Design & Staffing
• Innovative Construction Materials or Methods
• Sustainable Features
• Technological Benefits for Customer, Staff and/or Budget

Approximately ten winners are selected each year, with no further distinction made among the winners.