FAQ
Why is a non-profit foundation involved with SportSunShelters™?
The Melanoma Foundation of New England developed the concept of the sun shelters through a grant from Major League Baseball and with input from Massachusetts Little League. The result is an attractive sun shelter that keeps players out of the sun for 50% of a game or practice.
Because the Foundation does not have the overhead of a for-profit corporation, we are able to keep the costs at a reasonable level. "Profits" from the sales of the sun shelters go directly to melanoma school programs, sun awareness fairs, melanoma support groups, and patient advocacy programs.
Are the sun shelters cost competitive?
Yes. Through prefabrication and clear and simple assembly directions, these sun shelters have reduced labor to a minimum and can be assembled in seven to eight hours by volunteers.
Why were the shelters designed by an architectural firm?
Many athletic fields have prominent locations in our communities. We realize that structures built on these fields should be functional and attractive if they are to receive community support. In fact, most communities take pride in their public facilities.
We also feel that it is especially important that our young kids like our sun shelters and take seriously the message that they must protect themselves when they are in the sun. The purpose of the SportSunShelters™ is to help modify behavior and raise awareness about the need for protection in the sun. Skin cancer/melanoma can be fatal, yet through protection this disease can be prevented.
How does the process begin?
Contact the Foundation to get answers for any questions that you may have about the program and to initiate the discussion about getting SportSunShelters™ for your athletic program.
Once you have decided to go forward, an agreement between the SportSunShelters™ division of the Foundation and the municipality or owner of the field is presented for review and is then signed. The agreement clearly states what the buyer is getting, explains the structural integrity of the SportSunShelters™, and sets forth the understanding that the Foundation's liability ends with delivery of the SportSunShelters™.
What is involved in installing the SportSunShelters™?
The SportSunShelters™ come in a prefabricated kit with clear uncomplicated directions, although the volunteers involved must have carpentry and building experience. Each shelter should have a team leader who not only understands the directions but who also has the most building experience.
Each shelter can be assembled with a team leader and five to six volunteers. The frame assembly should take three hours to install, and the installation of the metal roof and metal siding should take an additional three to four hours. The signs should take less than half an hour to install.
Is anything not a part of the SportSunShelters™ package?
Yes. The concrete pad and fencing in front of each shelter are not included with the SportSunShelters™ package. The cost and installation of these items is the responsibility of the owner of the field or the organization that is signing the SportSunShelters™ agreement.
How do the SportSunShelters™ arrive at our site?
The SportSunShelters™ are delivered to the site by flatbed truck and unloaded at the field by a representative of the shipping company. Someone from the project should be there to accept delivery. Additional trucking costs will be charged for deliveries to locations more than 50 miles from the point of origin in New Bedford, MA.
Is the signage a part of SportSunShelters™ package?
Seven signs are included with each sun shelter: a sign for the field that measures 12" x approximately 110" and goes on the roofline, four smaller roofline signs that are 8" x 45" and give the names of associated organizations, and two 2.5' x 2.5' Rules of SunSafe Sports signs that attach to the chain link fencing and/or the shelter itself.
Who designed the SportSunShelters™?
The architect who designed the shelters is Richard Seltenrich of CBT Architects of Boston, MA, an award winning architectural firm that has designed many buildings in New England for schools, colleges, municipalities, banks, churches, and businesses. This firm of over 100 architects held an in-house design contest that was judged by members of the Foundation, Massachusetts Little League, and the architect of the Boston Red Sox, Janet Marie Smith. Growing up, Rich Seltenrich was a Little League baseball player and tried to give his design the flavor of a major league baseball park. Twenty-one designs were submitted.