Body
Unit Policy
Title
Department of Athletics: Policy on Facility Maintenance
Introduction
Purpose
This Policy is intended to establish maintenance practices for Department of Athletics (“Athletics”) Facilities at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (“University”) so that all users of Athletics Facilities have access to a clean, safe, functional, and presentable environment.
Scope
This policy applies to anyone using Athletics Facilities.
Policy
Policy Statement
All Athletics Facilities are maintained to be clean, safe, and functional. Some Athletics Facilities must be maintained in particular ways to preserve their usefulness to Athletics Facility users.
Athletics Green Spaces
Watering, Sprinklers, and Irrigation
The University is committed to environmental conservation and safety; however, the University and Athletics must maintain Athletics Facilities to preserve their functionality. Irrigation should be used when appropriate to help maintain adequate moisture and promote quality aesthetics.
Qualified personnel must regularly inspect sprinkler and irrigation systems in Athletics Facilities for safety and functionality. Maintenance should be performed when necessary to correct any issues. At a minimum:
- Sprinkler heads should be properly installed, adjusted, and calibrated;
- Operational settings should be reprogrammed at appropriate times of the year to adjust timing, watering durations, and/or other factors as appropriate;
- Systems should be “winterized” before cold weather;
- Systems should be inspected by qualified personnel at appropriate intervals for potential leaks, clogs, or compromised connections;
- Electrical connections should be inspected by qualified personnel at appropriate intervals; and
- Water pressure, rain sensors, backflow prevention devices, gate valve assemblies, main lines, flow control settings, communication devices, and valves should be inspected regularly by qualified personnel to help ensure proper functionality and optimal efficiency.
Tree, Plant, and Grass Maintenance
Athletics should regularly monitor trees, plants, and grass to ensure, at a minimum, they:
- Receive appropriate amounts of water and nutrients;
- Are regularly sprayed and pruned to stimulate proper health and growth;
- Are maintained in a structurally sound manner and do not present a fall risk;
- Do not impede the growth or sustainability of other landscaping elements.
Other landscaping maintenance should be provided as appropriate, including, but not limited to:
- Removal of fallen leaves;
- Removal of dead, downed, diseased, weak, insect-infested, rotten, or damaged trees and limbs;
- Removal of stumps, ideally to twelve inches below grade, and refilled with an appropriate material;
- Mulching;
- Monitoring and repairing outdoor hazards;
- Testing and correcting soil levels;
- Monitoring and removing any weeds or other invasive or otherwise undesirable growths.
Golf Courses
Athletics will maintain golf course conditions in a safe, aesthetic manner that provides a positive experience for players and guests. Each golf course area serves a different purpose and requires regular, specific maintenance to ensure optimal playing conditions.
Athletics will post notices at each golf course to warn individuals of associated risks and inform them that unauthorized access is prohibited.
Greens
Athletics will:
- Monitor and correct greens for any indication of infestation issues warranting corrective action;
- Mow regularly to maintain consistency of speed and appropriate grass length;
- Aerate, verticut, topdress, and fertilize as needed;
- Change cup locations as needed; and
- Repair ball marks regularly.
Tees, Fairways, and Rough
Athletics will:
- Mow regularly to maintain consistency and appropriate grass height;
- Aerate, verticut, topdress, and fertilize at appropriate intervals;
- Sod and overseed as appropriate to address areas of weak growth; and
- Relocate tee markers, benches, and other movable items as appropriate to avoid excessive wear on any particular part(s) of a tee box.
Bunkers
Athletics will:
- Rake, replenish sand as appropriate to maintain proper sand depth and cover liners and other subsurface items;
- Edge regularly;
- Minimize the risk of standing water; and
- Keep rakes positioned by bunkers for regular use and replace them when broken or damaged.
Cart Paths
Athletics will repair potholes and large bumps to maintain safe and aesthetically pleasing cart paths.
Use of Pesticides and Pest Control
Athletics may use pesticides and other forms of pest control according to the University’s policies governing pesticides and integrated pest management.
Athletics Water Spaces
Pools and Tubs
Athletics will keep swimming pools and tubs clean and safe to help ensure a positive experience for swimmers and guests.
Access Control and Safety Notices
Athletics will use adequate mechanisms, such as fencing, gates, locking doors, and signage, to prevent unauthorized access to pools and tubs.
Notices will be posted near any swimming pool or tub to:
- Warn individuals of associated risks,
- Inform them that access is prohibited for any unauthorized person(s),
- Specify that diving in certain shallow areas is prohibited,
- Warn individuals that no lifeguard is present (when applicable), and
- Specify that running and horseplay are prohibited.
Inspections and Maintenance
Qualified personnel will inspect each swimming pool, tub, pump, and heater at appropriate intervals for cracks, leaks, or other structural deficiencies and to ensure proper safety and functionality. If any issues are identified, qualified personnel must promptly take corrective measures.
Algaecide should be applied when necessary and at appropriate intervals to prevent algae growth. All chemical applications will comply with the University’s policies governing chemical safety.
Cleaning and Water Quality
Athletics will clean each swimming pool and tub when necessary and at appropriate intervals by:
- Skimming and vacuuming the surface,
- Removing sediment and debris,
- Cleaning filters and/or backwashing the filter system,
- Circulating and changing the water when necessary and at appropriate intervals, and
- Brushing each wall and floor to prevent algae growth.
Athletics will test the water in each swimming pool and tub regularly to assess:
- Water levels,
- Temperature,
- Chlorine and stabilizer levels,
- Alkalinity,
- Calcium hardness and
- Total dissolved solids.
Athletics will also test the water in each swimming pool and tub regularly to ensure the chemical levels in each comply with the following best practices:
- pH levels should typically be maintained between 7.2 and 7.8.
- Free chlorine levels should typically be maintained between 1.0 and 3.0 parts per million.
- Alkalinity levels should typically be maintained between 80 and 120 parts per million.
- Calcium hardness levels should typically be maintained between 200 and 400 parts per million for swimming pools and between 150 and 250 parts per million for tubs.
Athletics will take appropriate corrective measures promptly using qualified personnel to shock a swimming pool or tub, adjust chemical levels, and/or sanitize or otherwise ensure the safety of the water:
- When water in a swimming pool or tub has been contaminated,
- When the measured level of any chemical or other element is not within an acceptable range, and/or
- As part of routine maintenance.
Bodies of Water
Athletics will contribute to the maintenance of lakes, ponds, and other natural bodies of water when used for Athletics programs so that they remain safe, clean, and conducive to providing a positive experience for all Athletics members and guests.
Access Control and Safety Notices
Athletics will use adequate mechanisms, such as fencing, gates, locking doors, and signage, to prevent unauthorized access to lakes, ponds, and other natural bodies of water.
Athletics will post notices near each lake, pond, and other body of water to:
- Warn individuals of associated risks, and
- Inform them that access is prohibited for any unauthorized person(s).
Inspections and Maintenance
Athletics will have qualified personnel inspect each lake, pond, and other natural body of water at appropriate intervals to ensure proper safety and structural integrity. These inspections should identify:
- The presence of any harmful chemical, other contaminant, or other potentially hazardous or harmful substance;
- Any algae, weed, or other harmful or otherwise undesirable organism; and
- Any other issue warranting corrective action.
Athletics will promptly take corrective measures to address any identified issues.
Athletics will have qualified personnel inspect vegetation near each lake, pond, and other natural body of water at appropriate intervals to:
- Ensure conditions are maintained in a presentable manner,
- Identify the presence of any harmful or otherwise undesirable organisms, and
- Address any other issue warranting corrective action.
Cleaning and Debris Removal
Athletics will promptly remove trash and other debris from any lake, pond, other natural body of water, shoreline, and surrounding area.
Related Requirements
External Regulations
Contact Information
Primary Contact
Name: Tomas Jaimes
Telephone: 919-360-7615
Email: tjaimes@unc.edu