November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 16

WE ARE PARKS AND RECREATION
Trends in Indoor Flooring: What Do You
Need for Your Recreation Center?
By Mary Helen Sprecher
W
ork in the park and recreation industry long enough, and
you eventually will need to replace the flooring in a community
center, gymnasium, recreation center or other indoor
facility. While options on the market might have been
limited years ago, today they are virtually endless.
Before you decide upon the flooring,
however, it is important to arm
yourself with the answers to a few
critical questions:
* Will the floor host just sports or
will it have multiple uses, including
community meetings, where
tables and chairs might be used?
* What sports
will the floor be
used for and how often?
* Will you need the floor lined
for these sports? It's important
to note that contractors advise
against using tape on floors to
delineate playing areas.
* What additional amenities will
you need? These might include
scoreboards,
basketball
goals,
hockey goals, nets for pickleball
or volleyball, etc. Which ones
Surface Materials
" The changing needs of indoor
facilities have led to a variety of
new and innovative surface materials
that meet the demands of today's
users, " notes Joe Covington
of Covington Flooring Company.
Some of the most popular materials
include the following:
* Polyurethane is a versatile and durable
material that often is used for
multipurpose indoor facilities. It is
slip-resistant, shock-absorbing and
easy to maintain.
Several trends are shaping the
indoor surfacing market, and
those are driven by customer
demand.
16 Parks & Recreation | NOVEMBER 2 0 2 3
* Rubber is another durable and
versatile material that often is used
for indoor facilities - especially
weight rooms and fitness areas
where good traction is important.
It is shock-absorbing and protects
the concrete substrate from shattering
or deteriorating over time. Rubber
also offers enhanced acoustical
properties for impact noise, such as
for areas suspended over offices or
first-floor activity rooms.
* Wood is always the popular
| PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
will be permanent and which
will be temporary?
* What is your overall budget?
* What is your budget/capability
for maintenance?
The answers can help contractors
and other vendors make recommendations
that fit your needs.
choice for indoor facilities that
will be used for court sports, such
as basketball, volleyball, badminton
or pickleball. It is smooth and
shock-absorbing. When properly
maintained, it provides the delicate
balance of slide versus traction
required for these activities.
* Artificial turf is a low-maintenance
and durable option for some
indoor facilities. It also is slipresistant
and provides good traction
for agility and speed training.
The best surface for an indoor facility
will depend on the activities
that will be taking place and the
users' needs.
Selecting a Contractor
A contractor with experience in indoor
flooring can be an invaluable
asset to the search process. Several
trends are shaping the market,
and those are driven by customer
demand. Wood flooring, the most
traditional of all surfaces, is not
immune to this. " The trends that
we are seeing the most...are more
staining of the floors, " says Jimmy
Waters of Arizona Hardwood
Floor Supply, Inc.
According to Kira Simons of Titan
Sport Systems Ltd., synthetic
systems with a wood floor aesthetic
are gaining popularity as well.
No matter what the
surface
makeup is, those in the industry
say it's maintenance that will drive
the floor's longevity.
Mary Helen Sprecher is Technical Writer
at American Sports Builders Association
(maryhelen@sportsbuilders.org).
PHOTO COURTESY OF TITAN SPORT SYSTEMS LTD.
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation

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