High School Athletic Facilities Become Community Hubs

Schools invest in modern amenities and gathering spaces for sports events

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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High schools across the country are transforming their athletic facilities from simple fields and bleachers into community gathering spaces with improved safety, accessibility, and modern amenities. Schools are adding features like secure entry points, larger restrooms, upgraded concession stands, and designated plaza areas to enhance the overall experience for students, athletes, and spectators.

Why it matters

These facility upgrades reflect a growing trend of schools recognizing athletic events as important community gatherings that deserve thoughtful design and infrastructure. By creating welcoming, functional spaces, schools are able to better serve their student athletes and engage the broader community.

The details

Projects like the one completed for Richmond-Burton Community High School District #157 in Illinois showcase this shift. The district's outdoor stadium now features a new entrance that serves as a central gathering point, along with expanded restrooms, improved concession areas, and a raised plaza space for spectators who prefer to bring their own chairs. Other school districts, such as Kaneland School District, are also investing in similar facility enhancements to create more inclusive and enjoyable game-day experiences.

  • Richmond-Burton Community High School District #157 recently unveiled its upgraded athletic stadium.
  • Wold Architects and Engineers is currently in the design phase for athletic facility improvements at Kaneland School District.

The players

Wold Architects and Engineers

A Minneapolis-based architecture and engineering firm that has worked on numerous high school athletic facility projects, including the recent upgrades at Richmond-Burton Community High School District #157.

Richmond-Burton Community High School District #157

A school district in Richmond, Illinois that recently completed a project to transform its outdoor athletic stadium into a more welcoming and functional community space.

Kaneland School District

A school district in Kane County, Illinois that is working with Wold Architects and Engineers on plans to enhance its outdoor stadium experience with a new turf field, outbuildings, concessions, restrooms, and a press box.

Alison Andrews

The education practice leader at Wold Architects and Engineers who discussed the firm's work on high school athletic facility upgrades.

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What they’re saying

“Richmond-Burton is one of those communities that is still so engaged with the whole Friday Night Lights atmosphere of high school sports. The community shows up for basketball or football games. During football season, if there's a home game, everyone in town is there.”

— Alison Andrews, Education Practice Leader, Wold Architects and Engineers (Midwest Real Estate News)

“The school principal recently gave an update to the board of education. He mentioned all the compliments they've gotten about the new stadium, all the excitement in the community about the new space. The students, athletes and band members are all excited about it. The parents appreciate the attention to detail.”

— Alison Andrews, Education Practice Leader, Wold Architects and Engineers (Midwest Real Estate News)

What’s next

Kaneland School District plans to move forward with its athletic facility enhancement project, which will include a new turf field, outbuildings, concessions, restrooms, and a press box.

The takeaway

High schools are recognizing the importance of their athletic facilities as community hubs, investing in upgrades that create welcoming, functional spaces for students, athletes, and spectators alike. These facility improvements reflect a shift towards designing sports venues that serve as more than just fields and bleachers, but as central gathering places that foster school spirit and community engagement.