Fabric Shade Structures: Benefits Beyond Cool Comfort

Nov. 14, 2012 - PRLog -- With the summer now behind us, many look forward to cooler temperatures and the approach of the Holiday Season. Fabric shade structures would seem to be a subject for another time as the sun sets earlier and days at the beach or poolside gradually slip away replaced by fall fashions and football. Yet, this is the time of year when parks & recreation facility owners and operators are in full swing with planning their budgets for 2013. Now is the time to determine how funds will be raised and spent and to explore ways in which to improve their facilities in areas such as amenities, concessions, design upgrades and revenue enhancement among many others. With that in mind, it is actually a perfect time to consider shade structures for upcoming project plans and to be aware of their benefits beyond the obvious UV and weather protection.

Revenue Generation:

One major trend we’re seeing in the incorporation of shade structures to recreational facilities is the huge increase in their capacity to be a revenue enhancing feature. One case in point is the NRH20 Family Waterpark in North Richland Hills, Texas.  Though most facilities do not charge individuals for shady spots, the larger shaded areas have become a haven for groups of people who are more than willing to pay for exclusive access to cool comfort. According to Stephanie Hee, Marketing Specialist at NRH20, “Our fabric shade covers are booked at all times during the summer months with waiting lists full as well. We’re charging $75 per day on weekdays and $100 on weekends for areas with shade structures. From the Mariners structures that are meant for smaller groups to the Joined Hip structures for larger gatherings, we’ve been successful at renting these out to groups of all ages and for all occasions including daycare gatherings, birthday parties, family reunions, and business group retreats. Because of the success we’ve had, our Group Sales staff is planning to add more shade structures in the near future.”

Facility Aesthetics and Design Appeal:

In the City of Tulare, located in the heart of California’s Central Valley is the colorful Del Lago Park. The park is at the center of a newer housing area populated by many young families with children and has become a popular destination spot for outdoor play and family fun. A stand-out feature of the park is the 4 eye-catching fabric shade covers provided by Shade Structures of Costa Mesa, California. According to Danette Hall, Architectural Specialist for the company, the client was interested in “making a statement with the selection of different types of structures utilizing multiple colors. He was specifically trying to make the facility stand out and draw the attention of the young families in the area. Many times clients will want to match the shade structures to the play equipment, but in this case the structures stand out on their own in terms of color and type. There are two Super Span Pyramid Multi Levels and two Hypar Sail Structures – each of which has different colored steel and fabrics from the other.” The cumulative result is a park that is unique to the area and which gives residents a sense of pride in their local community.

Asset and Equipment Protection:

Another noteworthy benefit that fabric shade structures provide beyond keeping people cool and comfortable in a recreational setting is their ability to keep equipment cool and protected as well. A good example is the Safeway Milk Plant in Tempe, Arizona where they have utilized shade structures to cover sensitive outdoor equipment. The company’s Reverse Osmosis tanks need to be kept cool at all times so as to prevent the growth of algae in the water. As Sun Ports Vice President of Sales Whitney Market notes, “The operators liked the idea of fabric structures because they were lightweight and durable, can hold up against wind gusts nicely and because the fabrics are a breathable mesh material which doesn’t trap heat like a wood or metal structure would have. In summertime, they often need to be very hands on with the equipment and the shade structures allow for that.” With the often intense Arizona heat in mind, several businesses in the area also use fabric shade structures for many of the same reasons including the Lake Pleasant Water Treatment plant in Phoenix where they process over 80 million gallons of water a day serving over 400,000 residents. Their structures also help keep sensitive equipment cool with colors chosen to blend in with the surrounding environment.