Book excerpt: This newly revised edition is intended to serve as a practical tool for school administrators, physical education department heads, architects, planning consultants, and all others interested in planning new areas and facilities or checking the adequacy of those already in use. Chapter input was solicited from carefully chosen leaders in the field of athletic facility planning as well as from outstanding architects. Efforts were made to incorporate the most recent advances in facility planning and construction. Certain program areas, such as planning for the handicapped, were expanded, while outdated or irrelevant materials were deleted. The following topics are covered in separate chapters: (1) the planning process; (2) indoor facilities; (3) outdoor facilities; (4) swimming pools; (5) encapsulated spaces and stadiums; (6) service areas; (7) facilities for recreation, parks, and open spaces; (8) planning for the handicapped; and (9) trends in facility design. The book is illustrated with photographs and diagrams of the facilities discussed and selected references are cited at the end of each chapter. Appendixes include state requirements for school construction; checklists for building service, and security and safety planning; and supplementary photographs and figures. (MLF)