Build It Right - Winter 2025, Issue 11

ASBA Announces New Officers and Directors

ASBA Technical Meeting: A Wire to Wire Success

SFIA Report on Pickleball Shows Need for More Courts

Build It Right

Winter 2025, Issue 11 sportsbuilders.org

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Build it Right | Winter 2025, Issue 11

The American Sports Builders Association, a non-profit trade association comprised of builders, designers and suppliers for sports facilities, exists to promote the highest standards of design, construction and maintenance.

ASBA Chairman Randy Resley

ASBA Executive Director

Fred Stringfellow, CAE | fred@stringfellowgroup.net

Editor

Mary Helen Sprecher | maryhelen@sportsbuilders.org

2331 Rock Spring Road Forest Hill, MD 21050 Tel: 443-640-1042 Fax: 443-640-1031 Email: info@sportsbuilders.org

Build It Right is a publication of the American Sports Builders Association © 2024. All Rights Reserved. For more information or to order additional copies, contact the ASBA headquarters office. Unless otherwise noted, all images are copyright ASBA and their respective owners. Unless otherwise noted, all articles are copyright ASBA. Direct requests for reprint to the ASBA headquarters office. The American Sports Builders Association prints Build It Right to provide its members and other interested parties in the sports design, construction and supply profession with a forum for the discussion of topics of interest to the entire industry. The ideas and opinions expressed in Build It Right are solely those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the view, positions or policies of ASBA, its members, its board of directors, officers or staff. ASBA is not responsible for any claims made in any advertisements, and does not endorse any manufacturer, supplier or vendor. ASBA does not warrant the performance of any member or member employee or subcontractor.

Some images and content art © Adobe Stock Images, Pixabay, Unsplash and Pexels

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 5

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

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HEADLINE NEWS

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INDUSTRY VIEWS

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MEETING NEWS

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FEATURE

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DIVISION REPORTS

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PLAYING BY THE RULES

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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ASBA? / ASBA IN PRINT

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TRENDING TOPICS

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MEMBER NEWSLINE

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NEW MEMBERS & CERTIFIED BUILDERS

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ASBA Announces New Officers and Directors American Sports Builders Foundation: 2024 Highlights and 2025 Preview Join ASBA in Miami for RacquetX 2025 An Interview with Scott Colebourne, Association Manager at United States Padel Association ASBA Technical Meeting: A Wire to Wire Success Good Sports at the ASBA Technical Meeting ASBA Announces Facility of the Year Award Winners Technical Meeting 2024: Here’s What You Missed ASBA Announces Industry Award Winners ASBA Announces 2024 Game Changer Award Winners SFIA Report on Pickleball Shows Need for More Courts

Build it Right | Winter 2025, Issue 11

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Randy Resley

as well as participation at the RacquetX event. These relationships will continue into 2025 as we build this platform to promote ASBA member companies and the resources we provide to end-users.

As I write this column, we’re coming off a very successful Technical Meeting which was hosted in Orlando, Florida. Since the meeting had more than 300 first-time attendees, nearly 1,400 overall attendees and some of the most top-notch educational sessions I’ve experienced at ASBA, we couldn’t be more pleased.

I’m very pleased to announce the debut of ASBA’s newest division: the Indoor Sports Surfaces Division. As you know, we launched an Indoor Sports Surfaces Summit as part of our 2023 Technical Meeting, and have been working closely with some of the leaders in that industry this past year to provide value within ASBA for that community. The response has been overwhelmingly supportive, with continued interest in ASBA membership and participation in ASBA’s Technical Meeting and regional training workshops.

The ASBA Board approved the new division in December. Jay Henley of Covington Floors will serve as the first Division President; and Larry Wade of Ohio Floors will serve as the Division Director. We’re excited to welcome this new cohort to ASBA and to begin enjoying the synergies that have already begun “surfacing” with ASBA’s existing divisions.

We continue to expand our network with other association partners to further proliferate the ASBA brand. This past year we developed relationships with National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) with a presence at their Annual meeting;

As has been the case in the past few years, we enter 2025 with optimism about the robust industry in which we work and serve. The opportunities that exist for all of us as builders, designers and suppliers in the sports industry abound. Let’s leverage the relationships and resources generated through ASBA to maximize the potential that lies ahead for all of us.

Our next important step will be to convene with one another in Charlotte Harbor, Florida on February 21-23 for the 2025 Winter Meeting to engage in building even better offerings for the Association and continuing these productive conversations! See you in Florida! ★ Sincerely, Randy Resley

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HEADLINE NEWS ASBA Announces New Officers and Directors Mary Helen Sprecher

ASBA has announced its officers and directors for the coming membership year. The new slate took its place at the conclusion of the ASBA’s Technical Meeting, held in Orlando, Florida.

Randy Resley (Sport Court of the Rockies, LLC, Highlands Ranch, Colorado), will continue in his position as Chairman of the Association. Resley became the Association’s Chairman at the conclusion of the 2023 Technical Meeting.

Megan Buczynski, PE, LEED AP (Activitas, Inc., Dedham, Massachusetts) is the Association’s new Chair-Elect. She has previously served as President of the Professional Division and has also worked in a number of volunteer capacities for the Association, including presenting at Technical Meetings and working on the editorial committee for the ASBA’s publication, Sports Fields: Construction & Maintenance Manual.

Allen Verdin, CFB (The Motz Group, Cincinnati, Ohio) is the ASBA’s new Fields Division President. Verdin previously served as the Association’s Secretary-Treasurer.

New members of the ASBA Board of Directors are the following: •

Ross Rettler, PLA (Rettler Corporation, Stevens Point, Wisconsin), Professional Division Director

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Larry Wade (The Ohio Floor Company, Shreve, Ohio), Indoor Sports Surfaces Division Director

Those continuing as Division Presidents are as follows: President of the Tennis Division - Todd Dettor (Fast-Dry Courts, Inc. & 10-S Tennis Supply, Pompano Beach, Florida), President of the Track Division - Jordan Fisher, CTB (Fisher Tracks, Inc., Boone, Iowa) and Anthony Graham - President of the Supplier Division (MAPEI, Dalton, Georgia).

Continuing in their positions on the Board of Directors are the following: •

Builder Division Directors: Ryan Auer (Leslie Coatings, Indianapolis, Indiana); Fred Kolkmann, CTCB (Fred Kolkmann Tennis & Sport Surfaces, LLC, Grafton, Wisconsin); John Nelson, CFB (Peacock Services, Ft. Myers, Florida); Sam Titchener, CFB (Colony Landscape & Maintenance, Alviso, California) and Jonathan Wright, CTCB (Court One, Youngsville, North Carolina).

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Supplier Division Directors: Alex Fletcher (Sportsfield Specialties, Delhi, New York); and Rick Hardin (STOCKMEIER Urethanes USA, Inc., Clarksburg, West Virginia)

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Professional Division Director: Tim Gerrits, ASLA (GMB Architecture + Engineering, Holland, Michigan). ★

Eric Loftus (Cape & Island Tennis & Track, Pocasset, Massachusetts) is the Association’s new Secretary/Treasurer.

Sean Hufnagel (HNP, LLC, Birmingham, Alabama) was elected to the position of President of the Professional Division. He previously served on the Board of Directors.

Jay Henley (Covington Flooring Co., Inc., Birmingham, Alabama) was appointed to the position of President of the newly created Indoor Sports Surfaces Division of the Association. He previously chaired the committee that worked on the ASBA’s publication, Courts & Recreational Surfaces: Construction and Maintenance Manual.

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Build it Right | Winter 2025, Issue 11

HEADLINE NEWS American Sports Builders Foundation: 2024 Highlights and 2025 Preview Nikki Augsburger

The American Sports Builders Foundation was founded with a two-fold mission: •

To coordinate and fund the construction and renovation of sports facilities.

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To provide scholarships for students engaged in sports design and construction-related programs.

In its first year, the Foundation awarded its first-ever scholarship to Andrew Graf. Graf is a recent graduate of Upper Perkiomen High School and now attending the Pennsylvania College of Design where he is enrolled in the construction management program.

But that’s not all. In November 2024, the Foundation partnered with Western Sport Floors to renovate the gym floor at the Destiny Christian Academy, a K through 12 school located inside Destiny Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

In addition to basketball and volleyball for the school, the gymnasium is host to multiple events that benefit the community throughout the year, but the gym floor had sustained water damage and was in need of repair.

This project didn’t just improve the facility; it provided hands-on learning for participants at the ASBA Regional Workshop.

Over the course of the two-week project, attendees learned basic gym floor sanding, line taping, and painting skills and techniques.

Following the completion of the renovation, the American Sports Builders Foundation presented a plaque that will be displayed at the Destiny Christian Academy to honor the ASBA member companies who contributed to the project: Western Sport Floors, Basic Coatings, BONA and Poloplaz.

This is just the beginning. The American Sports Builders Foundation is dedicated to building brighter futures—one project, one leader at a time.

In the meantime, if you’d like to contribute to the American Sports Builders Foundation, please visit www.sportsbuilders.org/asbf. ★

2025 APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN! The American Sports Builders Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the Fall 2025 academic year. To apply, visit www.sportsbuilders.org/asbf-scholarships Scholarship Application Deadline: 11:59pm Pacific Time on Monday, April 21, 2025 The American Sports Builders Foundation is now accepting facility nominations and applications for its 2025 facility project. Eligible* facilities may request support in one of the following: •

A new build or renovation project to include ASB Foundation coordination of design, materials and/or labor -OR-

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Financial support for a planned build or renovation project where the building and materials partners have already been selected

ASBA Members are encouraged to nominate a facility by visiting: www.sportsbuilders.org/asbf-facilities Facility Application Deadline: 11:59pm Pacific Time on Monday, May 12, 2025 *Eligible facilities must be located within the United States and owned and operated by governmental entities or organizations exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

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HEADLINE NEWS

Join ASBA in Miami for RacquetX 2025 Fred Stringfellow, CAE If you’re headed for the Miami Open Tennis Tournament, or plan to be in the area in March, ASBA will be there too, as it returns to RacquetX in Miami, Florida.

To be held from March 22-24, RacquetX is a festival for operators of racquet sports facilities.

ASBA will be exhibiting in the show and hosting a panel on “Design and Build: What Goes Into Creating the New Wave of Racquet Sports Facilities.”

RacquetX will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center and is expected to be a gathering of and for the most influential businesses, from global brands to ambitious start-ups, allowing them to collaborate, network and showcase in this exciting space.

Here’s what to expect: •

100+ brands showcasing trending products, equipment and technology

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11 onsite courts (where tournaments will be played and equipment will be available for demos)

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Unique Club Summit experience featuring speakers from the top clubs in America and after-hours experiences featuring a VIP party and The Miami Open Night

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X Clubs Pickleball and X Clubs Padel tournament featuring top pickleball and padel clubs nationwide

You’ll hear from industry game changers on topics ranging from investment to style trends to coaching and of course the latest in court-building. To register, visit theracquetx.com and USE CODE ASBArx25 for an exclusive 15 percent discount on all passes.★

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Build it Right | Winter 2025, Issue 11

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INDUSTRY VIEWS

An Interview with Scott Colebourne, Association Manager at United States Padel Association Industry Views is a regular column in Build It Right, featuring an interview with an industry partner whose work is helping to drive evolution. Have a suggestion for someone to interview? E-mail our editor at maryhelen@sportsbuilders.org.

ASBA sat down with Scott Colebourne, Association Manager, to catch up with what was happening at the United States Padel Association. Worth noting: ASBA is working on its inaugural Padel Courts: Construction and Maintenance Manual; Scott Colebourne is a member of the editorial board for this new book, which will be published in late 2025.

American Sports Builders Association: Padel is growing in the U.S. Scott Colebourne: Padel has actually been in America since the early 1990s, but it’s just in the past five years the sport has really grown. Our 2024 annual report, for example, shows a jump in individual membership from 394 members in 2022 to 1,742 in 2023, followed by a continued increase in 2024 to now over 2,000 members, underscoring the growing enthusiasm and adoption of padel across the country.

American Sports Builders Association: Where are most facilities located?

Scott Colebourne: Most padel is played in clubs rather than in municipal installations and the number of clubs is definitely growing; in 2024, more than 50 new clubs were announced, meaning more opportunities in more cities for more players to take up the sport.

American Sports Builders Association: Is it a try-and-buy sport?

Scott Colebourne: Yes, it is. Once people see padel being played, they want to try it and once they try it, they stick with it.

You can wear the same shoes and clothes as for other racquet and paddle sports; if the courts are there, the only things you

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really need to invest in are a racquet and the balls.

We are seeing a lot of tennis clubs and pickleball clubs putting in padel as part of their multi-sport play areas. In fact, the USTA National Campus in Orlando has its own padel courts. Padel is a great workout and it’s a lot of fun. The court surface is forgiving and people can use the skills they have developed from other racquet or paddle sports. It’s played in doubles so it’s social. Padel is also a great way of capitalizing on unused, or underused, space.

American Sports Builders Association: We know there are hot spots for padel nationwide; where does the U.S. stand?

Scott Colebourne: Within the U.S, we have seen a lot of growth of padel in the southern part of Florida; there’s a very strong concentration of players there.

Texas is another place padel is incredibly popular; there are many clubs in Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio. California is adding a lot more clubs.

That’s not to say it isn’t popular in other parts of the country, though; one of the largest tournaments last year was held in New York. And if you look at the USPA website and check the tournament section, you’ll also see events in New York, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee and more. Padel’s growth in pockets around the USA is similar to that of a few other sports; one of these is platform tennis, which is very popular in the northeast.

American Sports Builders Association: In terms of padel players, are there more men, more women or a mix?

Scott Colebourne: The sport is about 80 percent male right now. We have some initiatives in place to try to bring in more

Build it Right | Winter 2025, Issue 11

women. It’s also largely adult with, unfortunately, not as much youth play. To address that, the USPA has launched a Junior Grant program to provide financial support to USPA Premier Club Members that provide padel learning and playing opportunities for young players.

American Sports Builders Association: Awareness of padel is rising; Forbes had an article, headlined, “Gen Z Will Help Padel Become the Next Hot Sport.”

Do you think the attention will help the growth (and vice versa)?

Scott Colebourne: Padel is growing in this country, and media coverage is increasing. American manufacturers are starting to make padel courts and components, and more brick and mortar stores, as well as online merchants, are stocking racquets and balls – all of which means padel is poised for absolutely explosive growth in the years to come. ★

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ASBA Technical Meeting: A Wire to Wire Success ASBA’s Technical Meeting, the highlight of the membership year, took place at the Rosen Shingle Creek from December 3-6 in Orlando, Florida.

The meeting served as a testament to the ASBA’s growing membership, as well as its reach in the industry, having a record-breaking attendance of nearly 1,400 individuals. In fact attendance has grown nearly 30% each of the past two years.

Enjoy a few of the best photos from the meeting. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for the 2025 Technical Meeting & Trade Show to be held from December 2-5 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas. ★

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Build it Right | Winter 2025, Issue 11

Good Sports at the ASBA Technical Meeting While the Technical Meeting has long been known for its ability to get business competitors to set aside their differences, there’s one area where competition is the name of the game: ASBA’s sports events.

Sporting Clays. This year, in addition to golf, pickleball and tennis, there were two new events. The first of these was Sporting Clays, a sport shooting event.

Sponsored by Fred Kolkmann Tennis and Sports Surfaces, LLC (Grafton, Wisconsin) and NGI Sports (Chattanooga, Tennessee), the event was held at Blackjack Sporting Clays in Sumterville, Florida.

A total of 27 people participated, ranging from first timers to very experienced shooters.

From all reports, the individual and team champions will be in San Antonio, Texas next year to defend their titles.

Sporting Clays is one of the few events where all genders and age groups can compete evenly and this year’s activity was no different; contestants included three husband and wife teams. The event ended with a cookout by Big Rascal BBQ.

Keep a lookout in August for registration to the 2025 event at the Joshua Creek Ranch (www.joshuacreek.com) in Boerne, Texas which has two 10-station courses. Those interested are encouraged to register early since, just as with this meeting, there may need to be a limit on the number of attendees.

Padel Tournament. Also new this year, and one of three events hosted on the USTA National Campus in Orlando and sponsored by Riteway Tennis, LLC (Branford, Connecticut), was the firstever ASBA Padel Tournament. The sport has continued to gain traction in the marketplace, and the event drew significant interest among members.

Pickleball Tournament. Returning for another great year, and also hosted at the USTA National Campus, was ASBA’s Pickleball Tournament. This tournament continues to grow in popularity, with plenty of representation from companies across all membership divisions.

Campus. The tennis event, along with the golf event, are two of the Association’s longest-standing competitions. Look forward to more chances to compete next year.

Golf Tournament. Another perennial favorite is ASBA’s Golf Tournament. The event, sponsored by Liberty Tire, was hosted at the Shingle Creek Golf Club.

Foursomes representing companies across ASBA membership divisions, spent a fun afternoon and enjoyed some goodnatured competition.

Didn’t win and want a chance to avenge your loss? Did win and want to defend your title? Didn’t get a chance to play and want to try your luck? Opportunities are waiting for you at the next Technical Meeting in San Antonio, Texas so mark your calendar! ★

Tennis Tournament. A longtime favorite of ASBA members, the Tennis Tournament also took place at the USTA National

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ASBA Announces Facility of the Year Award Winners At its most recent Technical Meeting in Orlando, Florida, ASBA announced the winners of its annual awards. Awards are presented each year to facilities built by ASBA members, which best exemplify construction excellence.

Awards are presented in various categories: Tennis Courts, Running Tracks, Sports Fields, Pickleball Facilities, Multi-Purpose Facilities and Track & Field Facilities. Within some categories, there are divisions; for example, the Sports Field category recognizes single- and multiple-field facilities.

The full list of award winners can be found on ASBA’s website, sportsbuilders.org; however, those projects receiving Facility of the Year honors are listed below: OUTSTANDING SINGLE-FIELD FACILITY OF THE YEAR Purcell Marian High School Staubach Stadium Cincinnati, Ohio Sportworks Design Silver Award University of Maine – Softball Orono, Maine Activitas Inc. Bronze Award Goddard Field at The Park School Brookline, Massachusetts Activitas Inc. OUTSTANDING MULTIPLE FIELD FACILITY OF THE YEAR Bill Noble Park Gardendale, Alabama HNP, LLC Silver Award Woodhaven High School Woodhaven, Michigan GMB Architecture + Engineering Bronze Award Washington University Orthopedics High Performance Center St. Louis, Missouri SCG Fields, LLC TRACK & FIELD FACILITY OF THE YEAR Mesa Verde High School Citrus Heights, California Verde Design, Inc. Silver Award Greater Lowell Regional Vocational Technical High School Tyngsborough, Massachusetts Gale Associates, Inc.

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OUTDOOR TRACK FACILITY OF THE YEAR Wildcat Stadium at the University of New Hampshire Durham, New Hampshire Cape & Island Tennis & Track

OUTDOOR PICKLEBALL FACILITY OF THE YEAR Mt. Brook Club Pickleball Courts Mountain Brook, Alabama Lower Bros. Co., Inc.

INDOOR TRACK FACILITY OF THE YEAR R.A Murray Fasken Facility at Texas A&M College Station, Texas Geosurfaces

Silver Award The Courts at Gibson Park Roseville, California Verde Design, Inc.

Silver Award Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas Kiefer USA

Bronze Award Pickleball Courts at Country Club of Detroit Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan Grissim Metz Andriese Associates, Inc.

OUTDOOR TENNIS FACILITY OF THE YEAR Beachwalk at Manasota Key Englewood, Florida Welch Tennis Courts, Inc.

MULTI-PURPOSE/GYMNASIUM FACILITY OF THE YEAR The Alan Horwitz Sixth Man Center, Powered and Operated by Philadelphia Youth Basketball Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Jaypro Sports, LLC

Silver Award Wald Park Tennis Complex Vestavia Hills, Alabama Lower Bros. Co., Inc. Bronze Award D.C. Everest High School Tennis Facility Weston, Wisconsin Rettler Corporation RESIDENTIAL TENNIS FACILITY OF THE YEAR Trustey Residence Vero Beach, Florida Fast-Dry Courts, Inc. & 10-S Tennis Supply INDOOR PICKLEBALL FACILITY OF THE YEAR Pickle Ranch – Braker Austin, Texas CourTex Construction Inc.

Build it Right | Winter 2025, Issue 11

MULTI-PURPOSE/FIELDHOUSE FACILITY OF THE YEAR Hudsonville High School Fieldhouse Hudsonville, Michigan GMB Architecture + Engineering Silver Award Game Time at The Grounds Cabot, Arkansas Jaypro Sports, LLC Bronze Award Dellwood Rec Center Field House St. Louis, Missouri McConnell & Associates Corp

Technical Meeting 2024: Here’s What You Missed The 2024 Technical Meeting in Orlando, Florida had a program packed with sessions that not only educated but engaged participants. To view the handouts presented there, visit sportsbuilders.org, then mouse over to “Meetings.” A drop-down menu will include “Technical Meeting Presentations.” Click on that and you’ll be taken to archives from past years. By selecting “2024,” you can access the PowerPoint and PDF records of the sessions you missed.

Just remember: Nothing compares to being at a Technical Meeting! Mark your calendar for the 2025 ASBA Technical Meeting, to be presented December 2-5 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas.

FIELDS DIVISION

A Case Study of the Flood at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, 2023 (and its Effect on the Playing Fields), Tim Catella, Clark Companies

Following a recap of the history of the facility, Tim Catella presented an overview of the historic flooding in the area, which decimated three key fields at the Academy: • Anderson Rugby Field • Target Hill Combat Fitness Field (used during basic training to assess physical fitness of cadets) • USMA Preparatory School Lacrosse Field Background: In July 2023, a storm brought nearly 10 inches of rain to the area. Because the storm moved slowly (over the

course of three hours) and because the surrounding area was largely impermeable, that precipitation not only brought damage to the fields but caused largescale threats, washing out roads and destroying structures.

The presentation included information on the design and methods of reconstruction used on each field at the Academy; challenges include the fact that each field housed different sports (which were owned and administered by different entities), and as a result, various approaches were necessary. Each project also had unique challenges: • The rugby field was already in the process of awarding a remediation project of the adjacent hillside, so contractors decided construct one half of the field immediately, and the other half following the completion of the remediation project. Additionally, there was a domino effect after the storm; because that field was unable to be used, Army Rugby was using a different field, this made of natural grass, and because of the additional traffic on the field, its playability was being compromised, meaning that the Academy wanted its original field back as soon as possible.

• When excavating flood debris from the Target Hill field, builders found live mortar rounds, which had to be professionally addressed.

• In the case of the lacrosse field, it was decided the turf should be salvaged; this work included mechanically removing mud, cleaning and aerating the turf to bring up smaller particles.

That debris was then mechanically removed and the turf washed before new infill was introduced.

The presentation was complemented by photos and videos showing not just before and after the storm, but during installation as well as shots of the damage to surrounding areas.

INDOOR SPORTS SURFACES DIVISION

Indoor Sports Surfaces – Moisture Mitigation and Site Prep: Anthony Graham, MAPEI Why do some indoor sports floors last season after season and year after year while others need replacement? This was the question posed at the outset of the session. Unfortunately, Anthony Graham noted, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution, since there may be multiple factors that are tied to surface failure.

The economic hardship wreaked by the failure of indoor surfaces is estimated at $1 billion annually, with most failures occurring within the first year of a project’s installation. Because the average cost of floor replacement is two to five times the outlay for installation, it behooves the contractor and installer to know the root cause of most problems. Blame is often placed on excessive moisture; however, attention must also be paid to other factors as well.

The presentation reviewed ASTM tests (including ASTMF 3191, ASTMF 1869, ASTM F2170 and ASTMF 3441) of which all flooring installers should be aware.

Graham discussed the way moisture passes through a slab, and the fact that vapor emission condensation at the surface makes high pH minerals more soluble.

Planning (and budgeting) for a moisture management system can help avert many problems in a floor, once installed. The goal of proper substrate preparation is to allow for the selection of specific preparation practices based on the exact conditions present on each individual job site.

Continues on page 16...

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Various options exist for addressing problems, and some of these are quicker and less expensive than others. Graham gave a description of the cost/benefit analysis of various methods.

The presentation also led attendees through the process of remediating contaminants in concrete, discussed concrete surface profiles and addressed the impact of asbestos abatement on various projects.

COURTS DIVISION

Planning for and Mitigating Noise Issues in Racquet Sports: Ryan Chmielewski, Weston & Sampson Sports & Recreation; Brandon Kunkel, Weston & Sampson Sports & Recreation; Bob Unetich, Pickleball Sound Labs

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.; however, the noise associated with it has made it one of the most divisive as well, particularly in cases where nearby residential neighborhoods are affected.

One of the first points of the session noted that while many will automatically assume that decibel level (dbA) is the only measure of sound in pickleball, there are others as well, including the pitch of that sound (the pitch of the ball hitting the paddle is higher than that of a tennis ball hitting a racquet), as well as other noise associated with a game (players cheering or shouting to one another, for example). All these are classified under the umbrella term of “noise.”

more than 100 feet; with a 10-foot acoustic barrier in place, that level comes down to 60 dbA on the other side of the barrier.

Various types of noise mitigation can be used in addition to acoustic barriers; however, some of these are more effective than others. Other measures to consider include limiting the hours of play (an inexpensive remedy that may cause player complaints), the requirement of quiet paddles and balls (also inexpensive but only as effective as the enforcement techniques used) and locating courts away from neighboring homes (something that can be considered only in the planning phase).

Important points to note were as follows: • If neighbors can see courts, sound could be a problem • Barriers are costly and require very strong fences to hold them up • Even private courts should consider the use of quiet paddles and balls, as well as barriers • Homeowners and builders should hire an acoustics firm that has impulsive sound experience and which uses LAFmax readings to measure sound and provide accurate assessments.

A second part of the presentation included a case study of pickleball courts, including site selection and noise mitigation techniques.

If a pickleball hitting a paddle is measured at 70 dbA, it is essential to understand that noise is not just limited to the court but can travel. Over a flat surface, it can travel

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TRACK DIVISON

Performing and Communicating an Asphalt Inspection For Running Tracks: Todd Rudolph, CTCB, Elite Sports Builders; Troy Rudolph, CFB, CTCB, CTB, Elite Sports Builders

Build it Right | Winter 2025, Issue 11

The purpose of an asphalt inspection is to ascertain that conditions are acceptable for track construction to move forward.

This includes ascertaining the asphalt mix and aggregate meet the design specifications; conducting verification of curb elevations (as-builts) and other tests, including stringline and conformance survey of the subgrade and stone base.

The presenters reviewed visual observations that should be conducted prior to having a flood test on the asphalt (these include seeing that the surface has a smooth and consistent sheen, seams and edges are flush and smooth, etc.) Additionally, the method of conducting a flood test was reviewed. This must all take place prior to the designer’s final review.

The advantages of having ASBA Certified Track Builders as inspectors were discussed; additionally, a sample copy of an inspection report was shown. The presenters noted that if a surface does not pass inspection, it is inadvisable for the CTB to suggest remedies, nor should the CTB in any way accept responsibility for the problem.

“Many owners, designers, inspectors and others will attempt to place responsibility on the surface applicator to accept the asphalt, concrete and overall site as meeting all requirements,” noted the presenters.

“Unless you have built the facility turnkey, you should never accept responsibility for work done by others.” ★

ASBA Announces Industry Award Winners

ASBA has announced the winners of its industry awards of recognition. Winners of awards were announced at the Association’s 2024 Technical Meeting, presented from December 3-6 in Orlando, Florida.

The Industry Merit Award, ASBA’s highest honor, given in recognition of exemplary service to the Association, was presented to Alex Levitsky (Global Sports & Tennis Design Group, LLC, Frenchtown, New Jersey). Levitsky, a longtime member of the Association, has been actively involved as a presenter at meetings and an active member of the Professional Division of ASBA.

Additionally, Levitsky has been a member of the Joint Editorial Boards for the publications, Tennis Courts: Construction and Maintenance Manual, Pickleball Courts: Construction & Maintenance Manual and Courts & Recreational Surfaces: Construction and Maintenance Manual. He has been the graphic designer for all three publications, contributing construction and design diagrams and being an active part of the review, updating and editing process.

In nominating Levitsky for the award, David Clapp, CTCB, past chairman of the Association, noted, “Alex has been involved in the association since the mid-1990s.

He has advised or served on countless committees. Maybe his greatest contribution to our association has been his unselfish willingness to volunteer his time, expertise, and technical prowess to generate the drawings and illustrations that populate our manuals. He has served in other partner associations to ASBA such as ASTM and through such associations has represented ASBA both in formal

and informal capacities. In short, he has brought to ASBA a wealth of knowledge, input, and published documents, for which we could never fully thank him.”

Also during the Technical Meeting, Racquet Sports Industry Magazine announced the winner of its Court Builder/Contractor of the Year Award, recognizing outstanding contributions in tennis facility construction. This year, the award was presented to Welch Tennis Courts (Sun City, Florida). The company, a longtime member of ASBA, has long been active in the Association. Its personnel have pursued certification, spoken at meetings and served on the Board of Directors, with two officers, George Todd and Peggy Beard, having held the office of Chairman. ★

ASBA Announces 2024 Game Changer Award Winners The Game Changer Awards program allowed attendees in the ASBA’s Exhibit Hall to learn about new technologies and products on the market. Attendees were able to vote for those products they thought best exemplified excellence and innovation in the industry. Winners were as follows:

Courts Division

ExtremeScreen80 | Ball Fabrics, Inc. (Deland, Florida) ExtremeScreen®80 is a groundbreaking innovation in windscreen that combines the strength and durability of knitted polyethylene with the refined look, stability and texture of premium vinyl-coated windscreens. Unlike traditional windscreens, ExtremeScreen®80 has no coating that can crack or peel, ensuring long-lasting performance.

Fields Division

Modular Drink Rail Systems | Sportsfield Specialties Modular Drink Rail Systems offer spectators a comfortable space to enjoy a beverage, a bite to eat or simply to watch the game and charge their devices. Previously, drink rail systems needed to be fabricated onsite, adding labor time and material cost to the project.

This option will allow facilities to offer social spaces for their spectators at every level of competition.

Indoor Sports Surfaces Division

Athletic Wood Floor Subfloor System-Dominique Wilkins “Slam Dunk” | Infinity Wood Floors/Aacer Flooring The DW Slam Dunk subfloor system features overlapping CNC-machined panels with proprietary grooves that securely hold resilient foam. These panels are anchored using specially designed hat channels to minimize area deflection and optimize ball rebound.

Track Division

GEZOFLEX eco | GEZOLAN (KRAIBURG), LP GEZOFLEX eco is the world’s first sustainable EPDM granules for sports and leisure flooring.

The revolutionary material consists of over 90 percent sustainable raw materials and is based on a sustainable EPDM rubber. ★ Please note that receiving the Game Changer Award does not imply ASBA’s endorsement of the product or service. Information on the winners of all Game Changer Awards is available from the companies shown above.

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FEATURED ARTICLES SFIA Report on Pickleball Shows Need for More Courts Mary Helen Sprecher

Photo by Venti Views on Unsplash

Not enough courts for a rapidly growing player population. That’s the word from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s (SFIA) most recently released research document, 2024 State of Pickleball: Participation and Infrastructure Report. The SFIA partnered with pickleball resource Pickleheads on the report.

The number of dedicated pickleball facilities grew 55 percent year-over-year; however, the majority of pickleball facilities in the U.S. are temporary (64 percent), requiring court equipment and setup in advance to play. Because of increasing demands for court time, conflicts among players are becoming problematic to facility owners, and have made news in cities nationwide.

Some of the top talking points from the report: Pickleball is the Fastest-Growing Sport in America: For the third year in a row, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, showing a leap of 51.8 percent

from 2022 to 2023, and 223.5 percent in three years, with every single age group seeing increased participation. …With Younger Players: While initially, pickleball was associated with an over-50 age participation, the age group with the most participants, 2.3 million people, is actually the 25–34 age range. The sport added over 1 million children under the age of 18 from 2022 to 2023. The significant increase in youth participation also suggests a promising future for the sport as young players grow and continue to engage with pickleball.

Pickleball is Growing Nationwide, Not Just in Retiree-Magnet Destinations: Every region in the United States in 2023 saw increased pickleball participation, with the South Atlantic region leading the way with 2.8 million pickleball players, a 50 percent increase compared to 2022.

Those who want to purchase the SFIA/ Pickleheads 2024 State of Pickleball: Participation and Infrastructure Re-

port can do so from the SFIA website, sfia.org, and clicking on “Resources” in the top toolbar. ★

HAS YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION CHANGED? Need to update your address? Have you changed your e-mail or website?

Is there a new employee you’d like to list?

Please help ASBA keep its records updated by letting us know!

This is the information that we will be using for ASBA’s Online Membership Directory – please make sure we have the most updated and accurate information.

To update any information, please contact Jordan Langeheine at jordan@sportsbuilders.org.

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DIVISION REPORTS During the Technical Meeting in Orlando, ASBA’s membership divisions met. In addition to the business conducted during those meetings (noted below), facility awards were given out and new Certified Builders were honored, along with members of the first ASBA Academy class.

COURTS DIVISION Members of ASBA’s Courts Division met with Division President Todd Dettor and guest speakers during the 2024 Technical Meeting in Orlando, Florida in early December: • Director of Tennis Venue Services, Parks & CTAs for the US Tennis Association, Todd Carlson, reported on reported on the steady growth of tennis players to 23.8 million players (up 33+% since 2019 • ASBA’s Joint Editorial Board, comprised of members of ASBA and USTA, completed the 2024 revision of the Tennis Courts: Construction & Maintenance Manual. An ASBA task force is currently collaborating with representatives of the US Padel Association on a padel courts manual, to be published in late 2025.

FIELDS DIVISION Outgoing Division President Kirk Grego presided over the meeting and thanked the many sponsors that help make the 2024 meeting a huge success.

• Synthetic Turf Council President and CEO, Melanie Taylor, provided an industry update.

• Julie Cochran from the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) spoke on the latest rule changes and news from the NFHS. • News of the ASB Foundation was announced.

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Build it Right | Winter 2025, Issue 11

DIVISION REPORTS TRACK DIVISION Division President Jordan Fisher noted the following information: • Findings were shared from the ASBA 2024 Quick Pulse Survey, 65% of Track Division respondents indicated they experienced growth in their business in 2024 and nearly 60% are expecting the growth to continue in 2025.

• A separate survey, sent to the subscribers of Coach & Athletic Director, revealed that one third of respondents have plans to build or renovate their indoor or outdoor running track within the next one to two years.

INDOOR SPORTS SURFACES DIVISION Approximately 150 individuals were present and Division President Jay Henley spoke to attendees: • 2024 Regional Meetings were discussed along with the work done on behalf of the ASB Foundation during the Workshop in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

• Indoor Sports Surfaces Division members were encouraged to attend the 2025 Winter Meeting, to be held in Charlotte Harbor, Florida.

• There are numerous opportunities to become involved with the Association, including participating on committees, attending meetings, contributing to articles and more.

ASBA Announces NEW Indoor Sports Surfaces Divison In its most recent meeting, the ASBA Board of Directors approved a new membership division: the Indoor Sports Surfaces Division.

Jay Henley (Covington Flooring Co., Inc, Birmingham, Alabama) will be the Division President, with Larry Wade (The Ohio Floor Company, Shreve, Ohio) representing the Division on the Board of Directors.

The Division will gather at the upcoming Winter Meeting to discuss topics for the 2025 Technical Meeting, as well as information relevant to its members. Members of the Division are already working on a new ASBA document, the Indoor Wood Flooring Installation Guidelines.

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PLAYING BY THE RULES ASBA periodically recounts rule changes that may affect the way facilities are constructed, marked or appointed (including equipment that is either experimental, recommended or mandatory.)

Rule changes affecting athletes (uniforms, sportsmanship, NIL issues, etc.) or the game itself (what constitutes a foul, etc.) are not covered here.

Information presented here is only reviewed briefly; full information can be gained through the governing bodies mentioned.

NFHS: Wrestling The 10-foot circle in the center of the wrestling area is now optional. Wrestlers will continue to be encouraged to keep action in the center of the wrestling area.

Rationale: The starting lines of each mat indicate the center of the mat, and the 10-foot circle is not relevant or necessary for awarding scoring or penalizing wrestlers during competition.

New wrestling mat designs often have large images of mascots or logos, giving a new and more eye-catching look. Wrestlers and officials know where the center of the mat is located without the 10-foot circle. ★

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Build it Right | Winter 2025, Issue 11

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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ASBA? As part of its continuing effort to position itself as an industry resource in sports construction issues, ASBA regularly attends industry meetings. Some of those are the following.

JANUARY - Sports Field Management Association (SFMA) Conference ASBA participated in the SFMA Conference in Palm Springs, California, from January 14-16. ASBA hosted a panel presentation, “Designing/Building a Sports Field with Grounds Managers in Mind.” Panelists included Casey Scheidel, Sam Titchener, Mark Baginski and Nick McKenna.

FEBRUARY - ASBA Winter Meeting ASBA members, leadership and staff will gather in Charlotte Harbor, Florida, February 21-23 for the Board of Directors meeting and Winter meeting. Each division will meet in breakouts to discuss issues pertinent to their respective sports and to develop presentation topics for the 2025 Technical Meeting.

MARCH - RacquetX ASBA will participate at RacquetX in Miami, Florida, March 22-24, a festival for operators of racquet sports facilities being held concurrently with the Miami Open Tennis Tournament. ASBA will be exhibiting in the show and hosting a panel on “Design and Build: What Goes Into Creating the New Wave of Racquet Sports Facilities.”

APRIL - NWFA Expo ASBA will participate in the NWFA Expo (National Wood Flooring Association) in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 15-17.

ASBA IN PRINT - Where are ASBA’s Technical Articles Appearing?

ASBA publishes technical articles in a variety of publications across all divisions, using quotes from its members. Would you like to receive questions for an upcoming article? Contact technical writer, Mary Helen Sprecher, at maryhelen@sportsbuilders.org.

Recreation & Parks (NRPA Magazine), November 2024: What’s Trending in Athletic Facilities?

Camp Business, November 2024, Return to Form: Consider These Sports to Refresh Your Camp Lineup Park & Rec Business (dba PRB+), November 2024: Indoor Flooring: The Hardest Worker in Parks and Rec… Except for You Coach & Athletic Director, November/December 2024: What’s Trending in Athletic Facilities?

Coach & Athletic Director, January/February 2025: Helping Your Sports Facilities Meet the Demands of Tomorrow SportsField Management, January 2025: Court Considerations-Keeping Up with the Demand for Tennis and Pickleball Surfaces ★

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TRENDING TOPICS ASBA keeps an eye on subjects that are getting attention at the sports facility level.

Here is a brief review of a few of those.

University’s All-Female Design-Build Team Wins DBIA National Award The University of Arizona’s Cardinal Design-Build team was named the winner of the 2024 DBIA National Design-Build Student Competition, hosted by the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) at the Design-Build Conference & Expo in Dallas, Texas. The all-female team from the University of Arizona made history with their win, highlighting the growing role of women in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry.

Congress Introduces Youth Sports Facilities Act With the support of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) and partner organizations across youth sports, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Marc Veasey (D-TX) introduced the Youth Sports Facilities Act (YSFA) in Congress. The YSFA would open a new funding source for youth sports facilities and recreational spaces using Economic Development Assistance (EDA) grants. EDAs are currently

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not eligible to be used for investments in youth sports infrastructure projects.

NCAA Chooses Sites for 240-Plus Championships In a move that could lead cities to reconsider upgrades to their sports facilities, the NCAA announced over 240 host sites for preliminary and final rounds of predetermined championships across Divisions I, II and III, primarily for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.

A total of 40 states plus the District of Columbia were selected to host at least one NCAA championship event, with Florida garnering the most with 22. Pennsylvania and Texas are tied for second with 20, while California and North Carolina totaled 17. The only sports in which championships were not awarded were Division I football, baseball and softball, because of existing long-term contracts. (The full listing of hosts and championships can be found on the NCAA site.)

Build it Right | Winter 2025, Issue 11

Women’s Flag Football Moves Into HBCU Space The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), a conference made up of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), has announced the introduction of Women’s Flag Football at seven of its HBCU member institutions. Flag is expected to launch as soon as spring 2025, further enhancing opportunities for female student athletes at HBCUs. First-Ever Women’s Pro Baseball League to Launch in 2026 The Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) will begin competing in the summer of 2026. The WPBL is the only professional women’s baseball league in America. The inaugural season is expected to include a regular season, playoffs and championship. For the 2026 season, the WPBL will launch with six teams predominantly in the Northeast; it hopes to expand across the U.S. ★

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MEMBER NEWSLINE Want your company featured in Member Newsline? Please send information to ASBA using the form available on our website at sportsbuilders.org/builditright. You’ll find it on the Build It Right Magazine page under the News tab that is located on the top right-hand corner of the home page. All member news must be submitted through this portal.

ASBA reserves the right to edit all information submitted.

Big Blue Madness on ASB GlassFloor In October 2024, Big Blue Madness at the University of Kentucky made history as the first NCAA event to be held on the ASB GlassFloor, turning the Wildcats’ season-opening celebration at Rupp Arena into a fully immersive experience. This interactive floor displayed team logos, player stats and vibrant graphics, creating a dynamic atmosphere that captivated fans throughout the event.

The ASB GlassFloor included player introductions accompanied by animated visuals and even a football field design featured alongside local artist Wylie Caudill’s custom artwork. The technology both enhanced fan engagement and demonstrated its potential to elevate college sports by integrating live content, social media feeds and in-game sponsorships directly on the court.

Christof Babinsky, Managing Director of ASB GlassFloor, noted, “Big Blue Madness proved the incredible impact of this technology. We hope to see full NCAA games on the floor soon, as it offers fantastic tools for coaches and an unparalleled fan experience.”

The success of Big Blue Madness highlights how technology can enrich both fan interaction and player development, offering universities new ways to connect with their communities. This breakthrough signals the beginning of a new era in college sports, where tradition meets innovation on and off the court. ★

Northwest Park in Rogers, Arkansas into a premier youth sports complex in 2023, showcasing innovative design and sustainable solutions. The centerpiece of the renovation featured eight youth softball/baseball fields, each equipped with high-quality artificial turf systems that optimized playing conditions while reducing maintenance requirements.The comprehensive project included modern concession stands and restroom facilities to enhance visitor experience.

A strategic partnership with the adjacent middle school created an efficient shared parking arrangement, maximizing available land use.

When a tornado struck the park in May 2024, the City of Rogers again chose Byrne & Jones Sports for the reconstruction effort. Honored to be selected for the rebuild, Byrne & Jones Sports looks forward to restoring the park to its original grandeur. This renewed partnership highlights the company’s proven expertise and deep understanding of the facility’s original vision.

Engineered for modern fencing, the Pulastic “Intense” system combines performance and durability with a 10mm shock pad, seamless stone-gray urethane topping, crisp white boundary lines and bold red accents. Designed to enhance safety, performance and aesthetics, the surface delivers superior resilience and low maintenance.

This upgrade sets a new standard for collegiate sports infrastructure and aligns with UT Austin’s ongoing commitment to athletic excellence at the Texas University. ★

The Northwest Park project demonstrates how modern construction techniques and materials can create resilient facilities that serve their communities effectively.

From its initial renovation to the current reconstruction, the project exemplifies the core principles of contemporary sports facility design: durability, sustainability and community-focused planning. ★

Byrne & Jones Announces Northwest Park, Where Innovation Meets Resilience Byrne & Jones Sports transformed

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Covington Announces a Seamless Upgrade: Robbins Pulastic Fencing Surface at UT Austin The University of Texas at Austin recently unveiled its state-of-the-art Robbins Pulastic “Intense” fencing surface in Belmont Hall at the iconic Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Installed in November 2024, the new flooring reflects UT Austin’s dedication to providing top-tier athletic resources.

Build it Right | Winter 2025, Issue 11

Dynaflex Sports Surfacing Introduces New Product Line – Grizzly Court Permanent Crack Repair System Dynaflex Sports Surfacing, a leading manufacturer of premier athletic surface solutions and complete sport surfacing systems, is excited to introduce its newest addition to its expanding product line:

Grizzly Court, a permanent crack repair system.

In the spring of 2025, Dynaflex Sports Surfacing will offer a revolutionary patented technology for sports surfacing systems that provides contractors and end users a permanent solution for needed crack repairs.

surfacing products to offer to the industry.

Grizzly Court will be available beginning in the spring of 2025. To find out more about Dynaflex Sports Surfacing’s new Grizzly Court Permanent Crack Repair System, visit www.dynaflexsports.com. ★

Grizzly Court offers customers the following features: • • • • • • • • •

Permanent Crack Repair System Revolutionary Patented Technology Free Floating Cast in Place Cushion Eliminates Dead Spots Stress Free Maintenance Thermally Stable No Special Equipment Needed Not Susceptible to Vapor Transmission

Grizzly Court joins Dynaflex Sports Surfacing’s other well-known athletic surface solutions, such as Dynaflex Acrylic Resurfacer, DynaCushion Base and Top, Dynacolor and many more, giving the brand a large selection of premium sports

LaBella Adds Dedicated Racquet Sports Studio LaBella Associates announced that its Sports and Entertainment Group has added a dedicated Racquet Sports Studio based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

LaBella’s Racquet Sports Studio capabilities span all racquet sports and sectors with an emphasis on the high growth sports of tennis, pickleball and padel.

LaBella’s market sector focus encompasses public facilities, including collegiate tennis and club venues, private clubs in both eatertainment and sport-focused

franchise models and mixed-use developments with racquet sport venue anchors.

Underscoring the firm’s commitment to the racquet sports space, Mike Woollen, AIA, LEED AP, Vice President and Leader of LaBella’s Sports & Entertainment practice has hired Bryan Fike, AIA, NCARB as Market Leader for Racquet Sports Developments. Fike joins the firm with more than a decade of experience designing and managing projects across a diverse array of sectors, with recent experience focusing on indoor and outdoor recreational facilities.

Additionally, LaBella has formed a strategic partnership with former collegiate and professional tennis player, coach, USTA National Campus (Lake Nona, Florida) Creator and Director of the Venue Services Division, Virgil Christian. He brings two decades of racquet sports venue design and funding experience to the team in collegiate, public and private markets.

For more information, visit: www.labellapc.com. ★ Continues on page 28...

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Nidy Celebrates 100 Years Founded in 1924 by Robert Nidy, Nidy Sports Construction has thrived as a family-owned business for a century. Starting with shuffleboard and tennis courts, the company built most of the Southeastern U.S.’s shuffleboard courts, promoting the sport’s growth.

Over the years, Nidy Sports expanded its expertise to include running tracks, synthetic turf fields and recreational courts, earning a reputation for quality craftsmanship and innovative technology.

Celebrating 100 years of excellence in 2024, the company remains committed to creating sustainable, high-performance sports surfaces. As a trusted leader in sports construction, Nidy Sports looks forward to shaping the future of the industry. ★ Padel Alba Brings Cutting-Edge Solutions to the USA Market Padel Alba is proud to announce its readiness to meet the challenges of the highly demanding U.S. market, where padel is growing rapidly and poised to become an Olympic sport.

Recognizing the unique environmental and community concerns in states like Florida, where high winds and hurricanes are a reality, Padel Alba has engineered courts capable of withstanding winds of up to 125 mph and even 150 mph. This innovation ensures the safety and durability of courts in extreme weather conditions.

Prior to this promotion, Duane has been Turf & Soil Diagnostics’ Vice President, performing soil testing and supervision and providing excellent customer support since 1996.

He is an industry leader and has been instrumental in the success of TSD’s labs.

In addition to his new responsibilities, Duane will continue his testing, quality and management functions.

Sportsfield Specialties Announces Advancements in Leadership Sportsfield Specialties is proud to announce the exceptional talent being developed within the company.

Congratulations to Scott VanTyle and Dan DeVantier on starting their well-deserved advancements in 2025. Scott has been promoted to Sports Construction Midwest Regional Sales Manager and Dan has been promoted to Sports Construction Western Regional Sales Manager. Both Scott and Dan exemplify the core values of the organization and the company is thrilled to see them take on these new roles.

These achievements reflect Sportsfield’s relentless pursuit of excellence in cultivating leadership within the organization. Sportsfield Specialties is not just building products; it’s creating experiences and shaping the future of sports construction. ★

Additionally, Padel Alba addresses another pressing issue in American sports: noise pollution. With sound barriers that can reduce noise by up to 35 decibels, Padel Alba offers a solution that harmonizes padel and pickleball courts with their surrounding neighborhoods. Players can enjoy their games without compromising the peace of local residents.

Duane Otto Promoted to President of Turf & Soil Diagnostics Turf & Soil Diagnostics (TSD), a physical testing laboratory serving the golf, sports turf and landscape markets, is pleased to announce that Duane Otto is being promoted to President.

By combining safety, professionalism and fun, Padel Alba is committed to fostering the growth of padel in the USA. With these innovations, Padel Alba courts are paving the way for a safer, more inclusive future for players and communities alike. ★

In this new capacity, Otto will be responsible for the overall direction and performance of the company. TSD is excited that Duane will provide the leadership and direction needed for the staff, company and clients to succeed in the future.

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Build it Right | Winter 2025, Issue 11

Sam Ferro, who has been TSD President since 2000, will remain with the company as Vice President, performing lab management duties and providing support to the president, staff and customers. This will allow Sam more free time for family and other outside endeavors.

Duane, Sam and all of the TSD staff look forward to continuing to provide customers with market leading testing, service and support.★

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ASBA MEMBERS New Members & Certified Builders Builder

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

A Plus Striping, Inc. Alba Padel Sports SL Armstrong Field Solutions Athletic Court Surfaces Cajun Courts LLC DuraEdge Products Elite Court Surfacing Evergreen Tennis Courts, Inc. FJ Roberts Sports Surfaces, Inc. Granite Hills Group Ideal Coatings Kimminau Floors Maisano Bros Inc SoccerGround USA LLC Sport Tech Flooring LLC Star Flooring Stilson & Gooch Outdoor Courts

• •

Professional

• • • • •

Grabo USA Roland Tennis

Supplier • •

Scott Bohrer, CTB W2W Sport

IMEG Consultants Corp.

Landscape Planning Ltd McAdams Simpson Sports Engineering VDZ+A Consulting Inc.

Provisional • •

New Certified Builders

Titan Sealcoating, Inc. dba Titan Pavement Zafircourt & Sons LLC

FI Equipment Junckers Hardwood, Inc.

John Cairns, CFB-S Keystone Sports Construction Joe De la Cruz, CTCB Dobbs Tennis Courts, Inc. Andrew Doster, CFB Sports Fields, Inc. Patrick Hooks, CTB AstroTurf Corporation Scott Starman, CTCB Pickleball Court Creation Coulter Stehl, CTCB Custom Courts Construction

Indoor & Outdoor

PERFORMANCE SURFACING

ecoreathletic.com

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