Whether it’s a full refurbishment or a modest gym upgrade, improving your school’s sports hall or gym is a valuable opportunity to increase both functionality and flexibility. But without a clear plan, it’s easy to invest time and money into upgrades that don’t deliver the benefits your students, staff, or community need.
Here’s what we recommend focusing on first, based on the real-world challenges we often see in school sports hall upgrades across New Zealand.
1. Start with How the Space is Used
Before looking at equipment or layout changes, take time to understand how your space is being used now and how you’d like it to function in the future – an important step in any gym upgrade!
Ask questions like:
- What sports or activities take place here most often?
- Are there activities you’d like to accommodate but currently can’t?
- Are staff and students struggling with any specific limitations?
This early input is invaluable when deciding which upgrades will have the most significant impact. For example, if volleyball is being squeezed into a space that’s too small or poorly marked, investing in layout changes or a new net system might bring more value than new flooring or lighting.
2. Assess What’s Still Working, and What’s Not
Not every upgrade requires a full overhaul. Sometimes the bones of the gym, like the structure, floor, or even some equipment, may still be in great shape.
We recommend doing a walk-through with someone who knows what to look for. At Gymleader, we often help schools identify:
- Whether hoops and fittings still meet safety standards
- If the flooring still offers enough grip and shock absorption
- Whether markings meet current sporting code regulations
- If existing wall or ceiling fixings can support new equipment
This helps clarify which systems can be reused and where strategic upgrades will make the most difference.
3. Fix the Pain Points First
Every school gym has its quirks, and often, one or two key issues are holding everything back. These could include:
- Not enough court space for the number of students
- A divider curtain that no longer works (or doesn’t exist)
- Floor markings that are faded, incorrect, or too crowded
- Hoops or posts that take too long to set up and pack down
Tackling these known problem areas first helps remove daily frustrations and instantly improves usability for both staff and students.
4. Think Ahead, Not Just About Today
It’s tempting to make decisions based on your current roll or sports programme, but remember, your space needs to serve your school for the next 10 to 20 years.
We encourage schools to consider:
- What sports codes are becoming more popular?
- Could community use increase in the future?
- Is there a chance you’ll need more simultaneous court use?
Planning with flexibility in mind—such as installing additional floor plates for future net systems or upgrading fixings to accommodate retractable hoops—means your gym can grow with you.
5. Involve the Right People Early
This one’s key. Gym upgrades often involve multiple stakeholders—school leadership, PE staff, facility managers, and contractors. But one group that’s usually brought in too late? The equipment supplier.
When we’re consulted early, we can provide layout advice and CAD support and make sure your upgrades will integrate properly with your existing space without clashes or costly surprises.
Even something as simple as knowing the floor thickness can help avoid last-minute adjustments when installing new systems.
Ready to start planning your gym upgrade?
We’re always happy to walk through your space, listen to your goals, and help you prioritise the upgrades that will make the biggest difference, now and into the future.
Even if you’re still in the early stages, a quick conversation can help you avoid common pitfalls, understand what’s possible within your budget, and make confident decisions that add real value to your school for years to come.
