Body and soul

Walls, ceilings, and windows all get their fair share of focus within a building, but in a sports centre, it is the floor that gets the most attention - and use - of all.

International Sports Surfaces was asked to supply and install the Sprung Timber Floor System, the basketball backboards and the Stadium Dividing Curtain for the complex, says owner Jim Holland.

"We worked closely with the architects in the early design stages to achieve the best options for the client," says Holland. "An ASF Horner floor system, similar to those used in some of the Sydney Olympic Games and Melbourne Commonwealth Games venues, was eventually selected."

The floor system included approximately 1600 rubber pads; 900 sheets of plywood, 21000m of select grade Australian Sports Ash Tongue & Groove timber; 80000 staples and 600 litres of polyurethane.

Because the sprung timber floor sits on a buffering layer of rubber over the concrete base, the floors not only reduce stress on students' knees, and injuries in general, but also create a quieter environment.

As with everything in the sports centre, a high standard of durability is built into these floors, and this applies to the markings as well. It was essential that the lines could easily be recognised on the multi-use courts. When built, two layers of gripping polyurethane were applied, the lines then painted on top. Two further coats of the polyurethane were then applied, meaning the lines won't wear over time.

Confusion over lines would have been problematic given the number of options catered to. There are two cross-hall basketball courts, and two-cross hall volley ball courts as well as single courts for both running lengthwise for high-profile matches. The floors are also marked out for eight badminton courts.

A retractable stadium-dividing curtain can be lowered from the roof, allowing for individual activities on each side. The blue PVC prevents distraction on the lower areas, while the upper mesh prevents balls crossing the divide, while still admitting natural light.

The basketball backboards were also made by the company and custom-designed for the situation.

For details contact International Sports Surfaces, phone (09) 813 2980. Or visit the website: www.intsportsurfaces.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas