Erin Hamrick of Gared Sports
agrees: "Facility managers can rest
assured that they are looking out for
their customers by performing periodic
assessments and maintenance, thereby
preventing many sports equipment
accidents."
"Safety inspections are the only way
to determine accurately whether the
equipment in your facility is safe," says
Erin. "Performing a safety inspection
at least once a year helps to ensure a
worry-free environment for you and your
customers."
She says documentation requires an
evaluation system. Facilities need to
inventory everything that needs to be
inspected–turf, boards, netting, courts,
bleachers, trampolines, climbing walls,
etc.–and prepare a list of questions that
can determine the safety of each piece,
including information related to its repair
or replacement. "PlayRx" by Gared is
a self-evaluating rubric that allows
operators to assess their own equipment.
Plus, it's cost-effective. When equipment
is not maintained, regular wear and tear
can lead to the need to replace it more
quickly.
"The number one reason backboards
break is because of the rim," says Erin.
"The few minutes it takes to check the
secure fastening of your rims can save
you hundreds of dollars, if not much
more."
Maintenance of turf, goals, netting,
basketball rims and backboards, as well as
the several thousand pound curtain that
hangs overhead, is critical to the safety of
customers and your financial investment,
suggests Erin.
Brian Fox is an Account Executive at
Monument Sports Group.
Erin Hamrick is the Recreation and
Field Sports Account Manager for Gared
Sports.
For past articles and related forms
dealing with maintenance, accidents and
operations, please refer to the Facility
Research Library under the Members-Only
tab at USIndoor.com.
Photos courtesy of Gared Sports
WINTER201
4
11
