Cooling Out The Fans

This summer has been one for the record books. The heat has been overwhelming and outdoor arenas have not been the ideal place to venture, but in the sports world the show must go on! Baseball teams literally had their diehard fans sweating in the stands this season as temperatures were near 100+ in almost every state. Moreover, if you have been watching the games on TV you may have noticed that these outdoor arenas are far from full. Many of these venues are not prepared to accommodate these types of weather conditions and many fans have been forced to sit this season out.

Besides the sheer discomfort, these venues have become a safety hazard. Fans sit in the heat for hours, probably enjoying a few beers or other adult beverage, and then voila, they’ve just experienced dehydration; not to mention the sun exposure, which can cause sunburn or worse, skin cancer. The risks are just as bad for the players, who are exerting energy in play and in rest as a result of the heat. With climate shifts like this being of increasing concern, it is time for teams to protect their assets (the players and fans) and Wolfgang Kessling of Transsolar may have a solution.

In a TED X presentation in Qatar, Kessling offered passive and active strategies to enhance the comfort of patrons of outdoor arenas. Some of the passive strategies were shades and soft conditioning, which uses dry air instead of cool air to balance out body temperatures. Another strategy was using cold water pipes under the seat risers to balance out the heat. Active strategies included solar panels to create a solar cooling system, which when in place, will eventually become self-sustainable.

All outdoor sports teams should consider employing these strategies at their venues. People like knowing that someone is looking out for them and enjoy working with companies that have their best interest in mind. Creating an environment more conducive to physical activity will also increase player stamina, which will increase team performance. By creating atmospheres that are fan and player friendly, fans will be more likely to attend events and speak highly of the teams. Fans will enjoy their experience on game day and want to come to more games. In short, the ideas of Transsolar could translate into fan support and increased game attendance, which means higher profits for sports teams and outdoor venues.

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