Once students leave campus, the window opens for projects that are impossible to complete safely or efficiently during the academic year. Empty halls and classrooms create the perfect environment for overhauls and cosmetic updates. The big challenge here is often identifying which projects to prioritize. While every campus has unique needs, facilities managers should aim for a strategic mix of preventive upkeep and forward-thinking innovation.
1. HVAC Servicing and Indoor Air Quality Upgrades
HVAC systems are among the most maintenance-intensive assets on any campus, and summer is the right time to give them the full attention they deserve. With buildings largely unoccupied, technicians can clean air ducts and coils, replace filters, inspect air intakes, and address any equipment that underperformed during the school year without disrupting students or faculty.
Beyond routine servicing, summer is the time to assess whether systems meet current air quality standards. The CDC recommends targeting five air changes per hour in occupied buildings, and HVAC filters should have a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating of at least 13. Older equipment that falls short of these benchmarks may be due for an upgrade, and the off-season is the most practical time to make the upgrade.
Facilities teams should also inspect exhaust fans in restrooms and kitchens and test building automation controls to ensure systems are configured for efficient operation before students return.
2. Deep Cleaning and Flooring
An empty campus also presents the opportunity for deep cleaning. Facilities managers should take full advantage by scheduling intensive cleansing tasks that simply can’t be done while buildings are in use.
Restrooms will strongly benefit from having surfaces scrubbed and disinfected. Dining areas deserve the same attention, with particular focus on kitchen equipment and food storage areas, where debris accumulates throughout the school year.
Flooring is also a key consideration for summer makeovers. Tile floors should be stripped of old wax and recoated. Furthermore, carpets can be deep cleaned using hot water extraction. These tasks are disruptive when spaces are occupied but straightforward during a summer shutdown.
3. Esports Facility Construction or Renovation
One project that is becoming more prominent on college facilities’ summer schedules is the construction or renovation of esports arenas. The growth of collegiate esports has been remarkable in recent years, and campus investments in dedicated facilities have kept pace, with colleges across the country investing an estimated $190.1 million in purpose-built facilities as of 2025. Evidently, educational institutions across the country are beginning to understand the global potential of the competitive esports industry.
For campuses that don’t yet have a dedicated esports space, summer is the perfect time to embark on an ambitious facility project. With competitive gaming titles like those featured in the Tekken World Tour requiring streaming stations and a commentator area, making professional-grade facilities is a must-have if colleges are serious about providing students with meaningful competitive opportunities. In fact, the esports World Cup rewards winning teams with a prize pool of over $75 million for popular titles.
However, new construction is not necessary to build out esports facilities, especially if esports is still in its early stages on campus. Look for underutilized spaces on campus like student lounges or older computer labs that can be renovated. Facilities managers can work with IT to retrofit existing spaces with the necessary cabling, lighting, and cooling capabilities.
4. Grounds, Exterior Maintenance, and Security
Warm weather paired with low traffic creates a uniquely optimized window for exterior work. If a college campus is long overdue for repaving a parking lot or repairing sidewalk cracks, summer break provides the perfect environment for a safe, unhurried execution.
Lighting audits are another high-value summer project. Replacing outdated fixtures with LED technology significantly reduces energy expenditure costs. In many states, local governments and utility companies provide rebates for renewable conversions, making it a highly cost-effective endeavor in the long run when approached with research and strategy.
On the security side, facilities managers should take the opportunity to test fire alarms, check door locks and cameras, inspect sprinkler systems, and audit emergency lighting throughout campus. Any physical security issues should move to the top of the summer project list, whether it’s broken fencing or outdated access controls.
Prioritizing the Summer List
With so many potential projects competing for limited time and budget, prioritization is key. Safety concerns should always take precedence over ambition. At the same time, facilities managers are advised to leave room for innovation, ensuring that students grow in an environment that’s relevant and prepares them for the rigors of the modern world.
Though summer break is a short window, facilities teams that come prepared can make meaningful improvements for the coming academic year.
Zac Amos covers smart homes, cybersecurity, and other trending tech topics and is the features editor at ReHack. For more of his work, follow him on X or LinkedIn.