2008 Woodie Awards
Rec. Center gets new gym floor
Ryan Bollinger
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: News
Students will not be able to access the East Gym of the North Student Recreation Center from March 10 to May 1 while new floors are being installed.
The original flooring from 1986 has begun to bubble and become unglued from the concrete base. The thin, worn track has little cushioning for runners' feet and the uneven, taped floors have become a hazard.
"We have a high water table here because of all the water that runs down the hill," said Troy Vaughn, Director of Recreation Services at Southeast, "and the concrete underneath the gym absorbs the water and causes the floor to shrink."
Southeast has hired Kiefer Flooring to replace the whole 35, 000 sq. feet with upgraded, 12 millimeter flooring for more cushioning. The new flooring will also be guarded by a chemical barrier to block out the water.
For this project, Southeast will dig into a $600,000 reserve account built up over time. The account has been used for several other past projects including the new Aquatic Center.
"Old flooring is only supposed to last for 12 to 15, maybe even 18 years and we have had it for 22 years," said Vaughn, pointing out across the dated basketball courts, "So it has lasted much longer than it should."
But the floor isn't the only improvement being made. Other changes include new breakaway rims for the basketball goals and all high school level courts requested by students. Floor covers for volleyball posts will be replaced and new scrubbers will be bought to clean the updated flooring with better care.
This is an ideal time to take on the project, because track and field is starting soon and the gym is used "extensively" during graduation and Commencement; in fact, the gym is used least in the months of March and April, Vaughn said.
"We understand that it can be an inconvenience," said Vaughn, "but the usability of the new floors will be much better and worth it."
The track at the South Rec Center will remain open to students and those seeking recreation this spring.
For more information on this project you can contact Troy Vaughn at 651-2878 or email at tvaughn@semo.edu.
The original flooring from 1986 has begun to bubble and become unglued from the concrete base. The thin, worn track has little cushioning for runners' feet and the uneven, taped floors have become a hazard.
"We have a high water table here because of all the water that runs down the hill," said Troy Vaughn, Director of Recreation Services at Southeast, "and the concrete underneath the gym absorbs the water and causes the floor to shrink."
Southeast has hired Kiefer Flooring to replace the whole 35, 000 sq. feet with upgraded, 12 millimeter flooring for more cushioning. The new flooring will also be guarded by a chemical barrier to block out the water.
For this project, Southeast will dig into a $600,000 reserve account built up over time. The account has been used for several other past projects including the new Aquatic Center.
"Old flooring is only supposed to last for 12 to 15, maybe even 18 years and we have had it for 22 years," said Vaughn, pointing out across the dated basketball courts, "So it has lasted much longer than it should."
But the floor isn't the only improvement being made. Other changes include new breakaway rims for the basketball goals and all high school level courts requested by students. Floor covers for volleyball posts will be replaced and new scrubbers will be bought to clean the updated flooring with better care.
This is an ideal time to take on the project, because track and field is starting soon and the gym is used "extensively" during graduation and Commencement; in fact, the gym is used least in the months of March and April, Vaughn said.
"We understand that it can be an inconvenience," said Vaughn, "but the usability of the new floors will be much better and worth it."
The track at the South Rec Center will remain open to students and those seeking recreation this spring.
For more information on this project you can contact Troy Vaughn at 651-2878 or email at tvaughn@semo.edu.
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