Introduction
Sport is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world today. The industry entails activities aimed at maintaining physical fitness among individuals. In the United States of America, the industry has, over the years, grown rapidly. It has seen billions of dollars as investment from companies involved to provide services in the sector (Sawyer, 2009). Clubs and recreational facilities have been set up to meet the rising demand to keep fit, with more emphasis on physical education in learning institutions. Mark Twain University plans to construct a modern human performance and health center. The architectural design needs to put into consideration the space required in the facility. However, space is a constraining factor. Only the most important items are to be allocated space in the design.
The Need to Allocate Space for Both Equipment and Supplies
Human performance and health centers must be planned and constructed in line with the current trends in the industry. As such, plans for such facilities should be in line with laid down guidelines, principles, and practices governing sports. Individuals pursuing courses in physical education must be well trained to provide them with the skills required to promote fitness and health in the industry (Sawyer, 2009). A well-equipped laboratory is one of the most important facilities to be included in the construction of a health and human performance center. The relevant supplies must be present to ensure the smooth running of the recreational facilities.
The architectural design of a facility must put into consideration the nature of activities going to be undertaken therein. As such, the necessary modifications must be made to accommodate the intended use. Ample space must be allocated to these uses. When planning, it is important to allocate space for both equipment and supplies. Equipment refers to tangible property purchased by an organization and is usually of high cost. Such property is also considerably durable and is used for more than one year. As a result, regular purchases of equipment are not required (Nagel & Southall, 2011). Regular and frequent maintenance practices are, however, required to ensure that the equipment is functioning effectively and efficiently. In most cases, equipment includes electrical appliances, which are bulky and occupy a lot of space.
Supplies refer to tangible items used together with equipment (Sawyer, 2009). Supplies are, however, of lower cost and shorter life span compared to equipment. Supplies do not require a lot of time and effort to install and may be put into use immediately after purchase. In addition, they are small in size compared to equipment.
Because of these differences, it is important to allocate different spaces for equipment and supplies. Equipment is usually installed at specific locations in buildings and facilities and does not require to be moved regularly. On the other hand, supplies are needed to operate equipment and are only used when necessary (Nagel & Southall, 2011). Separate space should be allocated to supplies to avoid congesting the space set aside for equipment. Allocating separate spaces is also important for safety purposes.
Different types of equipment and supplies are required in a human performance and health center (Sawyer, 2009). Equipment includes field markers, first aid kits, lawnmowers, chalk and whiteboards, clipboards, computers, and showerheads. Supplies include ink for field markers and pens, lubricants, fuel, paper, computer programs, and drugs. Such substances as oil and ink may cause accidents when carelessly left in the facilities.
Conclusion
The need to keep healthy and fit has prompted individuals, organizations, and governments to set up facilities with the aim of providing much-needed services. Learning institutions must adequately train individuals taking courses related to this field to ensure they provide safe and effective services to end-users (Nagel & Southall, 2011). Universities and other learning institutions must put in place the necessary structures to provide individuals pursuing related careers with the necessary skills.
References
Nagel, M., & Southall, R. (2011). Introduction to sport management: Theory and practice. Dubuque, USA: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company
Sawyer, T. (2009). Facilities planning for health, fitness, physical activity, recreation and sports. New York, USA: Sagamore Publishing.