1.4.2 High School Outdoor Athletic Facilities

• Multi-use athletic fields are the preferred field type. The field shall be:
  • Oriented north-south when possible.
  • The home-side shall be located to the west.
• Unless directed otherwise, the field shall include striping for:
  • Football (white)
  • Soccer (yellow)
  • Lacrosse (blue)

Order-of-line dominance shall follow that same order.
Provide an accessible route to both sides of a striped field and appropriate turnaround.

(See Figure 1.4.3.1)

• Materials: The athletic field shall be:
  • A synthetic grass surfacing with an underground drainage system.
  • Unless directed otherwise, the turf color shall be green.
  • The lead concentration of synthetic turf fibers concentration shall be a maximum of 300 mg/kg.
  • See above for striping colors.
• Athletic Equipment: Athletic Equipment to be provided includes:
  • A combination football upright and soccer goal system
  • End zone pylons
  • Corner flags
  • Team benches
  • Lacrosse goals
• Bleachers: If bleachers are provided at the athletic field, they shall include:
  • Seating for a minimum of 1,200 spectators.
  • On a north-south oriented field, bleachers shall be located on the west side of the field. If bleachers are divided between home and away, the home bleachers shall be located on the west side, hosting approximately 60% of the total number of seats.
  • Aluminum stands on a concrete pad with a track/athletic equipment storage structure underneath.
  • Seating shall be raised and accessible by ramps and have the required number of ADA accessible seating spaces. Accessible seating shall meet the requirements of universal accessibility.
• Press Box: If budget allows, a press box shall be integrated into the west/home side bleachers above the seating. The press box:
  • Shall accommodate a minimum of five users
  • Shall be ADA accessible
• Additional requirements may consist of:
  • HVAC
  • Electrical power
  • Lighting
  • Low voltage hookups
• Scoreboard: A scoreboard shall:
  • Be located behind the end zone closest to the school building, or placed within the line of sight of the home bleachers, with an electronic wireless control panel.
  • Incorporate a public address (PA) system, video display board, and a text equivalent messaging center meeting the accessibility requirements for the hearing impaired.
    • The PA system shall be coordinated with CPS and stakeholders.
    • A PA system may be installed atop a press box, if included.
    • If a PA system is provided, the system shall include an assistive listening system that will meet the requirements of universal accessibility.

(See Figure 1.4.2_1)

Typically, the athletic field shall be encircled by an eight-lane, 400-meter running track. The homestretch, typically used for the 100m events, shall be located on the home-side of the field.

• When possible, field events shall be situated within the track:
  • The high jump and shot-put events can be located within either “D-zone” (the remaining space between the track and either end of the athletic field) created by the field within the track.
  • If space allows, it is recommended to locate the long and triple jump events along the home stretch on the inside of the track. A sandpit for long and triple jump competition shall be located at both ends of the runway.
  • Other field events, including but not limited to, discus throw, pole vault, and javelin and hammer throw, shall be considered outside of the track where space allows.

(See Figure 1.4.2.2)

• Materials: The track shall be:
  • A synthetic running surfacing system over an asphalt base
  • Unless directed otherwise, color shall be black with white striping with color exchange zones
  • Track markings shall be per IHSA, NFHS, and IAAF guidelines. Striping layouts must be reviewed and approved by the CPS Department of Sports Administration prior to installation.
• Athletic Equipment: Athletic Equipment provided includes:
  • Power hookup at two locations at the end of the homestretch track events for electronic timing equipment (equipment provided by CPS)
  • Hurdles with storage carts
  • A high jump pad, standard, and crossbar
  • Long and triple jump sand pits with covers and runway take off boards
  • A discus throw cage if the discus event space is included
  • If storage is not included integral to bleachers, enclosed storage for athletic equipment shall be considered if none is provided within the school building

Priority shall be given to the consideration of a baseball field, and if space allows, a softball field shall also be included.

If space is limited, baseball and softball fields may overlap with other athletic fields. Every effort shall be made to only overlap the outfields so as not to require the use of portable mounds. Natural mounds shall be preferred. The baseball field shall be oriented with a line from home plate through second base, running northeast to keep the sun out of the batters’ eyes.

Both fields shall include a chain link backstop and fencing at a minimum.

• Backstop shall be 24 feet tall with 16 feet tall extensions.
• Remaining fencing shall be a minimum 6 feet tall.
• If permanent outfield fencing is not an option, portable fencing is permitted.

Suitable ball safety barriers shall be included when possible and shall extend to the height of the backstop and in front of the bleachers. Consideration shall be given to protect adjacent streets, buildings, houses, etc.

(See Figures 1.4.2.3_1 & 1.4.2.3_2)

• Materials: Unless directed otherwise, the following shall be provided:
  • Synthetic turf with contrasting infield color
  • A15-foot-wide contrasting color warning track around the field if budget allows.
  • Outfield fencing around the field shall be a minimum of six feet high and include foul poles. Portable fencing and foul poles may be provided if permanent features are not feasible.
  • A batter’s eye screen shall also be included behind center field.
• Dugouts: Standard dugout space shall include:
  • A chain-link fence enclosure extending from the backstop.
  • An accessible three-foot-wide minimum path to the dugout entrance.
  • Accessible built-in or sunken dugouts (with proper drainage considerations) shall be considered if budget allows and directed by CPS.
• Athletic Equipment:
  • Provide team benches at a minimum.
  • Provide accessories, such as helmet and bat storage.
• Storage for athletic equipment shall be considered through the design process. When equipment storage is not available inside the building or within a structure (e.g., concession building or bleachers), a storage shed shall be provided.
  Refer to Volume 3 Section 4.7 Athletics-Physical Education and Sports Administration for additional requirements.
• Bleachers: If bleachers are provided at the baseball and softball fields, they shall:
  • Provide seating for 500-1,2000 spectators depending on the program’s needs.
  • Be located behind the backstop split on the first and third base sides as needed. Bleachers shall be at ground level with ADA accessible seating.
  • If additional seating is necessary, elevated bleachers beyond the team dugouts may be provided. If provided, fencing in front of the bleachers is required, including foul ball netting
• Press Boxes: A raised press box shall be provided behind the home plate backstop, if included programmatically. The press box shall include the following:
  • Accommodate a minimum of two users
  • Shall be ADA accessible
• Additional requirements may include:
  • HVAC
  • Electrical power
  • Lighting
  • Low voltage hookups
• Scoreboard. A scoreboard shall be provided behind left-center or right-center field with an electronic wireless control panel. The scoreboard shall:
  • Incorporate a public address (PA) system, video display board, and a text equivalent messaging center meeting the accessibility requirements for the hearing impaired.
    • The PA system shall be coordinated with CPS and stakeholders.
    • A PA system may be installed atop a press box, if included.
    • If a PA system is provided, the system shall include an assistive listening system that will meet the requirements of universal accessibility.

Tennis courts shall be provided if required programmatically. The ideal number of courts is four or six; however, three is acceptable. If possible, the courts shall be oriented north-south with the netting oriented east-west.

(See Figure 1.4.2.4)

• Materials: Tennis courts shall be:
  • A textured acrylic tennis court surfacing over an asphalt base.
  • Unless directed otherwise, color shall be green with white striping.
  • All tennis court fencing shall be 12 feet high and include windscreen.
  • Designed to meet competition standards. Tennis courts for physical education shall be considered as well.
• Athletic Equipment:
  • Tennis courts shall be provided with netting and poles.
  • Confirm with School and stakeholders for additional storage and equipment needs.
• Bleachers: Bleachers shall be provided at tennis courts when space and budget allows. Unless directed otherwise, the bleachers shall:
  • When bleachers are required programmatically, provide seating for 25-50 spectators for every two (2) courts
  • Be non-raised aluminum stands with accessible seating on a concrete pad.