Planning a sports complex is an exciting yet complex process. With various structure types available—such as steel sports facilities, clear-span gyms, fabric sports structures, and sports domes—selecting the right one is crucial for long-term performance, cost efficiency, and functionality.
This guide will help you understand the key differences between structure types, their ideal use cases, and how they impact durability, climate adaptability, and overall design. By comparing these options, you’ll be better equipped to choose the best fit for your project and find the right company to bring your vision to life.
Use our sports structure cost calculator to get a tailored cost estimate for your project in a matter of minutes.
Timber Frame Sports Structure Companies
Timber frame sports structures are an increasingly popular choice due to their aesthetic appeal, sustainability, and structural versatility. These buildings typically feature glulam (glued laminated timber) beams, allowing large, open interiors without excessive support columns. This creates a seamless space for basketball, volleyball, or multi-sport use.
Use cases
Best for basketball, volleyball, and indoor multi-sport courts, often used in schools, universities, and community centers for their warm aesthetics, durability, and sustainability.
SMC2
SMC2 is an international design and construction company specializing in sports buildings, playgrounds, and recreational structures. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in France, the company has expanded its operations to multiple countries, including the United States. SMC2 integrates sustainable materials like wood and metal with innovative fabric membrane structures to create eco-friendly and cost-effective facilities.
The company serves both public and private sector clients, offering turnkey solutions for sports halls, gymnasiums, and outdoor play areas. SMC2 also provides weather-resistant sports facilities for year-round use, suitable for both indoor and open-air applications. With a focus on environmental responsibility and architectural innovation, SMC2 delivers high-quality, durable, and aesthetically appealing sports and recreation facilities worldwide.
SMC2 specializes in the design and construction of innovative sports facilities using sustainable materials. Its main products include:
Wood & Steel Structures
Durable and eco-friendly solutions for sports halls, gymnasiums, and multi-sport buildings.
Fabric Membrane Roofs
Lightweight, translucent covers that provide natural lighting and energy efficiency.
Certifications
- ISO 9001 Certified – Ensures high-quality management and continuous improvement in construction processes.
Industry Affiliations
- Member of the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) – Aligns with industry standards and best practices in sports facility construction.
Warranty & Durability
- 20-Year Manufacturer Warranty on high-grade fabric membrane roofs.
- 60+ Year Lifespan for structural frames, with all components fully recyclable.
Contact details
- Email: contactexp@smc2-construction.com
- Tel. +1 514 813 9380
Kinsley Construction
Kinsley Construction specializes in building a wide range of custom sports facilities, including gymnasiums, training centers, and multi-sport venues for both competitive and recreational use. The company uses a variety of construction methods and materials, with structural timber and hybrid wood solutions playing a key role in creating durable, eco-friendly buildings. Their expertise includes both traditional and modern approaches, tailored to meet the specific needs of each client and project.
Sports Canopy Construction Companies
Sports canopies and covered courts are ideal for those seeking weather protection without a fully indoor space. These structures use glulam wood beams, steel frames, or tensioned fabric roofing to create an open-air yet sheltered environment.
Use case
Common for tennis, pickleball, basketball, and multi-sport courts, used in schools, clubs, and municipal parks to provide weather protection while maintaining an open-air feel.
SMC2
In addition to its expertise in wooden sports buildings and gymnasiums, SMC2 is a leader in the design and construction of sports canopies. Building on its commitment to sustainability and innovation, the company utilizes wood and steel structures combined with fabric membrane roofing to create covered sports facilities that offer weather protection, natural lighting, and energy efficiency.
These canopies are ideal for basketball courts, tennis courts, and multi-sport areas, providing year-round usability while maintaining an open-air feel. They can also be used as complementary gymnasiums or as a training facility for all types of sports.
SMC2 canopies are highly customizable, offering the option to add one or more side walls in a variety of materials—while still maintaining an open-air atmosphere. With the same dedication to quality and durability outlined in its broader construction work, SMC2 ensures its sports canopies deliver long-lasting performance for schools, municipalities, and private sports organizations.
Signature Structures
Signature Structures designs tensioned membrane canopies for outdoor sports facilities, providing weather-resistant, cost-effective, and low-maintenance solutions for courts, fields, and spectator areas.
Uni-Systems
Uni-Systems specializes in retractable canopy systems for stadiums and arenas, offering precision-engineered, automated roofing solutions that enhance flexibility, weather protection, and the overall fan experience.
Sports Dome Installation Companies
Sports domes, also known as air-supported structures or sports bubbles, create large, climate-controlled spaces ideal for soccer fields, tennis courts, and multi-sport facilities.
Use case
Ideal for soccer, tennis, and track & field, preferred by clubs, commercial sports facilities, and municipalities for year-round climate-controlled environments with large, unobstructed spaces.
HeroX Air Domes
HeroX Air Domes specializes in the design, manufacturing, and installation of innovative air-supported structures, commonly known as air domes, air bubbles, or inflatable structures. These versatile and durable air-supported structures provide year-round, weather-resistant environments suitable for various sports, including tennis, soccer, track and field, and swimming.
Their structures are customizable, energy-efficient, and offer quick setup times, making them an attractive alternative to traditional construction methods. HeroX Air Domes serves clients worldwide, delivering innovative solutions for sports and recreational facilities.
Specialization
HeroX focuses on creating air-supported sports facilities for various applications, including:
- Tennis & Padel Courts – Fully enclosed, climate-controlled spaces for uninterrupted play.
- Soccer & Football Fields – Large-span domes that protect against harsh weather while maintaining ventilation.
- Track & Field Training Centers – Indoor environments for year-round athletic training and competitions.
- Aquatic Centers – Air domes designed for swimming pools, ensuring optimal temperature and humidity control.
Warranty
- Exterior Fabric: Pro-rated 7-year or 20-year warranty against material degradation, depending on the supplier chosen.
- Other Components (Lighting, Doors, HVAC & Inflation Systems): 1 to 2-year warranty covering performance and reliability.
Contact details
- Email: office@heroxairdomes.com
- Tel. +1 702-919-7179
The Farley Group
The Farley Group specializes in inflatable sports domes for soccer, tennis, and multi-sport facilities. Their air-supported structures provide year-round, weather-resistant environments, ensuring uninterrupted play. With a focus on durability, energy efficiency, and customization, Farley domes offer superior climate control and lighting solutions.
Yeadon Domes
Yeadon Domes designs air-supported sports structures with advanced climate control systems for optimal indoor conditions. Their domes are lightweight, durable, and energy-efficient, making them ideal for soccer, tennis, and other sports. Yeadon combines cutting-edge materials and engineering to ensure long-lasting, high-performance sports facilities.
Arizon Building Systems
Arizon Building Systems specializes in high-performance air domes for various athletic applications, including soccer, football, and tennis. Their customizable, energy-efficient designs provide year-round protection and superior climate control. Arizon integrates advanced fabric technology and air management systems for durability and cost-effectiveness.
If you are planning to install a sports dome, read our separate guide on choosing the ideal sports air dome supplier.
ClearSpan & Fabric Sports Structure Companies
ClearSpan and fabric sports structures provide an alternative to traditional construction. They use lightweight yet durable tensioned fabric over a metal or aluminum frame. These structures are well-suited for indoor soccer, tennis, golf, and multi-sport training centers.
Use case
Often used for soccer, football, baseball training, and multipurpose sports in training centers and municipal sports complexes, offering spacious, cost-effective, and energy-efficient enclosed spaces.
ClearSpan Structures
ClearSpan Structures is known for energy-efficient, clear-span gymnasiums and training centers. Their durable, open-space designs provide maximum usability for various sports applications while ensuring natural light and ventilation for a cost-effective and sustainable solution.
Legacy Building Solutions
Legacy Building Solutions specializes in durable tension fabric structures with fully customizable designs. Their engineered fabric buildings offer strength, flexibility, and energy efficiency, making them ideal for sports facilities, gymnasiums, and multipurpose athletic centers.
Big Top Fabric Structures
Big Top Fabric Structures provides weather-resistant fabric sports facilities designed for year-round use. Their tensioned fabric buildings offer protection from the elements while maintaining a bright, well-ventilated space for training, games, and recreation.
Steel & Metal Sports Facility Construction Companies
Steel and metal sports buildings are among the most durable and widely used structures for indoor sports facilities. Due to their strength, longevity, and cost efficiency, they are commonly used for gymnasiums, basketball courts, indoor track fields, and multi-sport arenas.
Use case
Preferred for basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, and fieldhouses, used in schools, universities, and professional training centers for their durability, strength, and long lifespan.
a) Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings (PEMBs)
PEMBs feature factory-fabricated steel components, allowing for quick assembly and large clear-span spaces without internal columns.
b) Steel Sports Facilities & Fieldhouses
These structures provide long-lasting, low-maintenance indoor sports spaces with high structural integrity.
Nucor Building Systems
Nucor Building Systems specializes in steel-frame gymnasiums and fieldhouses, providing durable, high-quality structures for schools, recreation centers, and sports complexes. Their customizable designs ensure strength, efficiency, and long-term performance.
Butler Manufacturing
Butler Manufacturing offers customizable metal sports buildings with clear-span interiors, providing open, unobstructed space for gymnasiums, fieldhouses, and training centers. Their durable, energy-efficient designs ensure long-term performance and flexibility.
Kirby Building Systems
Kirby Building Systems designs steel athletic complexes with customizable layouts. Their structures combine strength, versatility, and energy efficiency, creating functional and long-lasting sports facilities for a wide range of applications.
How to Choose the Right Structure for Your Indoor Sports Complex
Selecting the proper structure depends on budget, location, climate, and intended use. Wood and steel structures offer long-term durability, while tents and air-supported domes provide cost-effective solutions for large open spaces.
If you need a permanent, high-end facility, pre-engineered metal buildings or engineered wood structures are excellent choices. Sports domes and temporary fabric structures can be ideal for seasonal or budget-friendly options. Working with an experienced contractor will help ensure that your facility meets safety, functionality, and longevity requirements.
Cost Considerations for Indoor Sports Complexes
The cost of an indoor sports complex varies widely depending on several factors:
- Structure Type: Fabric, modular, steel, or traditional—each has different upfront costs.
- Size & Layout: Bigger or more customized facilities cost more to build and equip.
- Location: Site prep, climate demands, and permits can raise costs.
- Materials: Choice of frame, roofing, and finishes impacts both build and long-term performance.
- Interior Features: Flooring, lighting, HVAC, and amenities like locker rooms add significantly.
- Ongoing Costs: Consider energy use, especially for air domes, and future maintenance.
Use our sports structure cost calculator to get a tailored estimate for your project today.
Funding Opportunities for Indoor Sports Complexes
Building an indoor sports complex is a significant financial investment, but various funding opportunities can help offset costs. Many facility owners secure funding through grants, sponsorships, public-private partnerships, and financing programs.
Several organizations, such as the U.S. Department of Education and state recreation departments, offer grants for sports facility development. Additionally, sports governing bodies like the USTA and USA Pickleball provide funding for facilities that promote youth and community engagement.
Exploring naming rights, corporate sponsorships, and municipal funding partnerships can also be effective ways to secure additional funding.
Check out our sports facility grants and funding database to find relevant funding programs for your project.
Conclusion
Selecting the right indoor sports complex structure depends on multiple factors, including budget, location, and intended use. Wood, steel, fabric, and air-supported domes each offer unique benefits that cater to different sports and operational needs.
To get started, explore leading manufacturers in each category, request quotes, and consult with a sports facility construction expert to determine the best solution for your project.
