A Timeline Starts Long Before Construction
One of the first questions districts and municipalities ask is:
“How long does it take to build a new field?”
The real answer depends on many factors — site conditions, design choices, weather, amenities, and permitting. Instead of focusing on a single timeframe, it’s more helpful to understand the sequence of a successful athletic facility project. Once that sequence is clear, the timeline becomes much easier to build around your goals.
Begin With a Clear Direction
A strong timeline starts with understanding what the facility needs to accomplish, including what challenges the new field or complex needs to solve, identifying who will use it, noting any seasonal goals or preferred usage windows, and outlining desired amenities such as lighting, fencing, dugouts, or walking paths.
Aligning expectations early helps the entire process stay focused and organized.
Evaluate the Site Before Anything Else
A project timeline depends heavily on what is happening below the surface.
A good site evaluation looks at existing grades and elevations, soil conditions, drainage requirements, utility access, site constraints, and environmental considerations.
Understanding the site up front prevents delays and allows the team to plan realistically.
Know the Sequence of a Typical Athletic Facility Project
While every project is different, most follow the same general path. Being familiar with this sequence makes decision-making easier.
Planning & Stakeholder Input
Early discussions set goals and gather insight from athletics, maintenance, and community groups.
Design Development
Concepts become detailed plans through the coordination of grading, drainage, surface selection, and amenities.
Permitting & Pre-Construction Coordination
Approvals, utility coordination, stormwater planning, and material submittals take place here.
Construction
Work progresses through earthwork, drainage installation, base construction, and playing surface installation, followed by amenities and surrounding site features.
Final Reviews & Turnover
Safety checks, quality reviews, surface testing (for turf), and owner training prepare the facility for use.
Understanding the order—not the duration—of each phase helps leaders anticipate what’s coming next.
Keep Flexibility in the Plan
Athletic facility projects benefit from flexible, realistic schedules. It should allow for weather changes, material availability, school and community events, and any site discoveries that require adjustments.
A timeline that leaves room for variability creates a smoother, more predictable experience.
Choose the Delivery Method That Supports Your Process
Procurement choices affect how a timeline is built.
Design-Build
A unified team manages design and construction together, which can simplify coordination and help align decisions early.
Design-Bid-Build
The design is completed before bidding, and contractors submit competitive bids. This approach works well within traditional or required procurement structures.
Both methods can succeed. Selecting the one that matches your policies, goals, and internal capacity is what matters most.
Communicate Throughout the Project
Clear communication keeps everyone aligned, especially those who use the facility daily. It’s important to hear from and keep all groups affected by the facility informed, including the athletic department, maintenance staff, PE departments, coaches, board members, and community groups.
When stakeholders understand the project sequence, expectations stay consistent throughout the process.
Work With a Partner Who Helps You Plan Confidently
Athletic facilities are major community investments. A strong partner helps you understand the site, plan a realistic sequence, identify risks, coordinate design and construction decisions, and support board and community conversations.
Nemaha leads with honesty and collaboration — helping owners feel confident at each step of the journey.
Timelines become much clearer once the project process is understood. By focusing on the sequence, evaluating the site early, staying flexible, and choosing a delivery method that aligns with your goals, your team can build a realistic plan for a successful athletic facility.
If you’re beginning early discussions, reviewing options, or just exploring possibilities, Nemaha is always ready to help you think through the next step.
A strong plan starts with clarity, and we’re here to help you get there.
