Build It Right - Summer 2023, Issue 5

Summer 2023, Issue

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

David Clapp, CTB, CTCB

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 © 2023. 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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

HEADLINE NEWS

Breaking News: ASBA Announces New Indoor Sports Surfaces Community

American Sports Builders Foundation: Building and Improving Facilities, Raising the Next Generation

Our Best Learning Opportunity Yet: The ASBA Academy

INDUSTRY VIEWS

An Interview with Kristine Stratton, President and CEO, National Recreation and Park Association

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ASBA?

PLAYING BY THE RULES

MEETING NEWS

Technical Meeting Program Announced

FEATURES

Colleges, High Schools, Clubs and Cities All Want Beach Volleyball: Here’s What ASBA Members Need to Know The Rise of Disc Sports...And How That Growth Will Impact ASBA Members

ON THE BOOKSHELF

What’s On the Bookshelf...and What is Changing?

One of life’s little felicities for the sports builder is getting to act in the role as educator. Just last week, I was speaking with a customer about pickleball court construction and this person had no idea what concrete was (a mixture of sand, gravel, water, and Portland cement, that hardens after a chemical reaction takes place, I told him) as opposed to asphalt (a mixture of sand, gravel, and hot tar, that subsequently hardens after it cools, I subsequently told him).

This little role we sometimes fulfill of “contractor as educator” I find to be very satisfying. We are imparting to a potential client the knowledge of our industry, the materials needed, processes used, limitations of design, advantages of other designs, pricing and expected lifespan of a particular sports facility.

Why do I bring this up? It is always appropriate to focus on fundamentals. While your ASBA board may currently be undertaking some new initiative or tackling some thorny issue that needs addressing, the fact of the matter is that ASBA exists, according to our mission statement, to promote the highest standards of design, construction and maintenance for all types of indoor and outdoor sports facilities. To

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

David Clapp, CTB, CTCB

that end, it occurs to me that we all, in our daily roles in this industry, undertake the mission of ASBA. We bring education to the marketplace in our daily discussions to promote this goal as stated above.

As I type this article, it is July 4th. It is a good day to be grateful for those who founded such a great country and also a good day to be grateful for you, the members of ASBA and readers of this

magazine. As always, I am humbled to be your chairman. ★

Sincerely,

David Clapp

David Clapp, CTB, CTCB

HEADLINE NEWS

Breaking News: ASBA Announces New Indoor Sports Surfaces Community

Mary Helen Sprecher

ASBA has long had the stated mission of helping industry members learn to “Build it Right” – with the ultimate goal of creating facilities that not only are safe and enjoyable for athletes to use, but which have the technological advancements to help them perform their best. For the Association’s members, collaboration, not competition, is what helps propel the industry forward.

Now, ASBA is unveiling its newest initiative, the Indoor Sports Surfaces Community. As the name suggests, this group is for indoor sports flooring professionals. The goal is to help professionals in this sector stay on top of industry developments, to share information and to work for the betterment of facilities. Ultimately, ASBA would like to create a networking/advocacy community that allows all to present, educate and champion its indoor sports flooring industry while giving back to its members and community.

ASBA will be hosting its inaugural Indoor Sports Surfaces Summit from December 1-4 in Houston, Texas, concurrently with the Technical Meeting. The goal of this summit is to create a recurring opportunity for all sport flooring professionals to thrive through fun, dynamic content in a non-threatening environment.

A tentative agenda has already been developed for the summit; topics include the following:

“Why ASBA? Why Now?” Joe Covington, Covington Flooring Co.; Paul Nelson, Western Sport Floors; Randy Resley, Sport Court of the Rockies; Fred Stringfellow, ASBA

“Evolution Of Coatings (Best Practices/Case Study),” John Prater, Praters Flooring

“Performance Characteristics of Sport Floors,” Dr. Paul Elliott, ASET Services

“Case Study: Synthetics: Applications Outside Of Wood,” Spencer Proud, Abacus Flooring

“Environmental Conditions for Application Success (Problems, Causes and Cures),” Adam Taylor, CTB, Mondo USA, Inc.; William Thornton, Fieldturf Tarkett

“Equipment and Maintenance,” Rich Sweet, P.A.W. Harwood Flooring & Supplies

“Maple 101,” Todd Goodridge, Robbins Sport Surfaces

“Project Management in Today’s World,” Abby Mitchell, Ponder Company, Inc.

All those who are new to the Association will find out what members of ASBA already know – this is an opportunity to participate in an association that has the ability to help direct the future of sports flooring.

Already, industry leaders are signing on as members. To date, they include:

• Allen Sports Floors, LLC

• Arizona Hardwood, LLC

• Basic Coatings

• Brandsen Floors

• Creative Floors Coating & Design

• Eaglecrest Enterprises, Inc.

• Infinity Wood Floors/Aacer Flooring

• Joe Rollins Hardwood Floors Inc.

• Lord of Wood LLC

• Phillips’ Floors, Inc.

• Ponder Company, Inc.

• Praters Flooring

• Revolution Manufacturing LLC

• Schmidt Athletic Floors

• Scout Sport Floors

• Southern Flooring

• Titan Sport Systems Ltd

• Veterans Floors

• Western Sports Floors

HEADLINE NEWS

Breaking News: ASBA Announces New Indoor Sports Surfaces Community , continued

Testimonials:

“There is a large number of individuals that participate in our sports flooring market who have no outlet for sport flooring specific networking, continuing education and leadership opportunities. ASBA offers the perfect platform for the inclusion of all sport flooring professionals. This includes manufacturers of wood, finish, equipment and other supplies; dealers, subcontractors, distributors and other professional organizations. All of these organizations would have the same opportunities to lead and contribute.”

- John Prater, Praters Flooring

“It has been our experience over the 30-plus years we have been in the sports flooring market that there are a lot of good contractors out there. The problem is we all seem to be on our own little island, trying to tackle the sports flooring contractor’s world all alone. In the past year we have met with likeminded sports flooring contractors working on a plan to rectify this issue and connect all those islands. We feel an Indoor Sports Flooring Community within ASBA will make this dream a reality. Let’s all work together to make our already great industry better.”

- Larry Wade, The Ohio Floor Company

“We are so excited to have a place for EVERYONE who works in the sports flooring industry to come together for education & camaraderie! Join us for the first annual Sport Flooring Summit coming in December 2023.”

- Paul Nelson, Western Sport Floors

To learn more about the new community group, or to recommend a colleague for membership, explore the new page on ASBA’s website: sportsbuilders.org/page/sportsflooring. ★

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HEADLINE NEWS

American Sports Builders Foundation: Building and Improving Facilities, Raising the Next Generation

Nikki Augsburger

ASBA’s leadership is thrilled to announce to its members the establishment of the American Sports Builders Foundation. The American Sports Builders Foundation (ASBF) has a two-fold mission:

• To coordinate and fund the construction and renovation of sports facilities, providing safe and accessible places for youth and adults to enjoy sports;

• To support the next generation of leaders in the sports design and construction industry by providing scholarships for students engaged in industry-related studies and programs.

Funding and Coordinating Sports Facilities for Communities in Need

One focus of the Foundation is to fund and coordinate the building and renovation of sports facilities in communities that lack adequate resources to pay for them. These facilities can include courts, running tracks, sports fields, indoor gym facilities and more.

The Foundation’s goal is to complete at least one facility per year, and if feasible, increase to two per year. The inaugural facility will be located in the host city of ASBA’s Technical Meeting with a groundbreaking or kick-off ceremony during the event. In years to come, facilities in locations outside of Technical Meeting host cities may be considered.

Nominating and Selecting Facilities

All ASBA members are being encouraged to actively participate in the nomination process for facilities in need. At the 2023 Technical Meeting & Trade Show, there will be an official opening of the nominations process to help identify projects in need; the chosen facility will be announced at the following year’s Technical Meeting. Members may nominate facilities through an online form, provided they have gained permission from the facility and include contact information on the form. The Foundation Board will also research potential facilities in the Technical Meeting host city.

The Foundation Board will review all nominations and conduct thorough research on the nominated sites. After careful consideration, the Board will vote to select the facility to be supported. The Foundation Board will strive to create a diverse range of projects to balance the needs of facilities across all divisions.

Selecting Participating Member Companies

The ASB Foundation recognizes the expertise and contributions of its member companies. To bring these projects to life, the Foundation Board, with assistance from relevant experts, will develop the scope of each project and issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to all ASBA member companies. These proposals should be submitted to the Foundation Board by a designer or builder who includes all proposed partners and suppliers in their submission.

The Foundation Board will review the proposals received and vote to select the participating member companies for each project. By involving ASBA member companies, the Foundation is able to ensure the highest standards of design, build, and materials in every facility construction or renovation.

Continues on page 10...

HEADLINE NEWS

Introducing the American Sports Builders Foundation , continued

Promoting Projects and Recognizing Contributions

The ASB Foundation is committed to promoting the projects undertaken. At each Technical Meeting, there will be a special announcement about the selected facility and the participating member companies to be involved. Additionally, ASBA will distribute press releases to share the news with the wider community.

To honor the contributions of the participating member companies, a plaque will be placed at the completed facility acknowledging their support and dedication to improving sports facilities in communities of need.

Supporting Future Leaders

The second goal of the Foundation is the support and development of the next generation of leaders in the sports design and construction industry by providing scholarships for students engaged in secondary programs that promote and support this industry.

The amount of the scholarships will be determined, in part, by the funds raised by the Foundation. The Foundation Board’s goal is to award scholarships for the Fall 2024 school year. Students interested in applying for the scholarships will be able to do so through an online form, which will include a field to identify any ASBA members with whom they are connected.

The Foundation will also welcome online nominations from ASBA members who know of deserving students. The Foundation Board will review all applications and may conduct virtual interviews to select the student(s) who will be awarded the scholarships.

Fundraising for Scholarships and Project Costs

To support its mission, the ASB Foundation will be relying on the generosity of its members and supporters. It will be implementing various fundraising initiatives to ensure the availability of scholarships and potentially cover additional project costs:

• Donations on Membership Application/Renewal

• Donations on Event Registration Forms

• Fundraising Activities at the Technical Meeting

• Fundraising Activities at the Winter Meeting

By leveraging these fundraising efforts, the Foundation can expand its impact, provide scholarships to deserving students, and continue to build and renovate sports facilities in communities that truly need them.

You Can Help Make a Difference

The establishment of the ASB Foundation represents a significant step forward in ASBA’s collective commitment to enhancing access to sports facilities and supporting the future leaders of the sports design and construction industry. All ASBA members are invited to actively participate in nominating facilities, supporting fundraising initiatives and promoting the chosen projects.

Together, ASBA, its Board of Directors and its Foundation hope to make a lasting impact on communities in need, provide safe and accessible spaces for sports and inspire the next generation of leaders in this industry. ★

Our Best Learning Opportunity Yet: The

ASBA is constantly seeking new and innovative ways to onboard new industry members and to provide them with education that helps them perform their jobs to the best of their abilities, resulting in excellence in sports facility design and construction. The newest initiative, the American Sports Builders Association Academy, has the goal of doing just that.

The ASBA Academy is a comprehensive program developed specifically for individuals who have limited experience or are new to the sports facility design and construction industry; the program strives to equip participants with the fundamental knowledge and skills required for success.

ASBA Academy

Mary Helen Sprecher

Who Can Benefit? The program is intended for individuals with limited experience in sports construction, including new employees, and others who are eligible such as builder members, design professionals, and suppliers.

What is the Curriculum? Coursework, developed separately for the Track, Courts and Fields divisions, includes both virtual and in-person components designed to provide fundamental understanding of the world of sports construction. There are four quarterly sessions with the first three conducted virtually and the fourth session in person at the ASBA Technical Meeting & Tradeshow held in December. Additionally, the course will provide self-paced learning opportunities and more.

When Does it Start? In January 2024 (date to be announced), a virtual orientation meeting will include introductions to the lead instructors, details on the course delivery, course agendas, assignments and more. The educational portion of the program kicks off in the first quarter of 2024 with a virtual session, with two other virtual sessions being held quarterly.

To enhance the learning journey, assignments will be required between sessions, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and active participation in subsequent discussions. These assignments may include engaging reading materials, technical video sessions and more.

The pinnacle of the ASBA Academy will be the in-person session held at the ASBA Technical Meeting & Tradeshow in December 2024 in Orlando, Florida. This session will feature live presentations and dedicated preparation time for the final exam.

Are there any Prerequisites? To prepare for the first virtual session and to ascertain that participants have at least an entry-level knowledge of the industry, all those who want to participate in the Academy should successfully complete their division-specific Fundamentals of Sports Construction Course.

Where Can I Learn More? Go to ASBA’s website and visit the page, sportsbuilders.org/page/academy. ★

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 Membership Directory – please make sure we have the most updated and accurate information.

To update any information, please contact Kristin Evans at kristin@sportsbuilders.org.

INDUSTRY VIEWS

An Interview with Kristine Stratton, President and CEO, National Recreation and Park 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

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) welcomed its new president and CEO, Kristine Stratton, to the organization in 2019. Under her guidance, the organization not only weathered the pandemic but came out stronger for it, as individuals nationwide learned about the opportunities for recreation available to them in local parks.

NRPA is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. NRPA advances this vision by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals as catalysts for equity, climate-readiness and overall health and well-being. NRPA’s network of more than 60,000 park and recreation professionals and advocates represent public spaces in urban communities, rural settings and everything in between.

Stratton sat down with ASBA to share her insights on NRPA and its programs.

American Sports Builders Association: Parks play an integral role in getting children active and in providing opportunities for affordable recreation. How does NRPA help with this mission?

Kristine Stratton: All kids deserve fun, safe places to play where they feel like they belong. Research shows that when children play sports, they increase their chances to grow up healthy, feel good about themselves, build friendships, develop skills like teamwork and respect and are more likely to succeed in school and in their future careers.

Park and recreation agencies and professionals reach more than 40 million youth each year through sports and

out-of-school time programs. NRPA has been supporting this work for several years through education, certifications, guidance and research designed to help professionals looking to learn and grow their youth sports offerings.

American Sports Builders Association: What special initiatives are being offered?

Kristine Stratton: The NRPA Elevating Health Equity Through Parks and Recreation – A Framework for Action is designed to help park and recreation professionals intentionally advance health equity by applying a racial equity lens when designing, implementing and evaluating programs and services and when developing infrastructure, maintenance and operations plans. We are committed to creating practical tools that help professionals navigate the challenges and complexity that are part of creating more access and inclusion across the communities we serve.

In addition, we are exploring how to channel more resources and beneficial partnerships between sports organizations and local park and recreation professionals in service of increasing access to a variety of youth sports and play offerings. We have enjoyed a strong partnership with Project Play and recognize the importance of things like “sport sampling,” or the ability for youth to try different forms of sport and play as they develop. Park and recreation professionals are working hard each day to support their communities by offering an array of programs that will best meet their needs.

American Sports Builders Association: What program, project or initiative are you most excited about at NRPA and why?

Kristine Stratton: We recently launched a multi-year partnership with Musco Lighting to advance equitable access to youth sports. This new partnership will help park and recreation agencies to increase access to sports and play, particularly for youth of color, girls, LGBTQ+ youth, youth living in low-income households and youth with disabilities.

With support from Musco Lighting, NRPA will provide funding and in-kind support to local park and recreation agencies that are working on closing the gap in access to youth sports. The partnership will also support NRPA in developing an evidence-based Youth Sports Equity Framework, which will serve as a roadmap to guide park and recreation professionals seeking to advance impactful, sustainable solutions that increase participation in youth sports.

The partnership builds on a cohort (peer learning) model NRPA developed in 2021. We have enjoyed a strong relationship with Musco for many years and it’s incredibly exciting to engage with them and leverage their expertise on this important work.

American Sports Builders Association: Your conference is coming up. Please tell us a little about it.

Kristine Stratton: For more than 50 years, the NRPA Annual Conference has been the premier convening of the park and recreation community. Annual Conference attendees get an inside look at the latest

products and services at our extensive and interactive Exhibit Hall, connect with colleagues and experts from across the field and access hundreds of CEU sessions and learning opportunities.

This year’s conference will take place from October 10 to 12 in Dallas, Texas and we are looking forward to welcoming 8,000+ attendees to learn, grow and celebrate the transformative power that parks and recreation have on communities. We’re excited to welcome Vernā Myers, vice president of inclusion strategy at Netflix as our 2023 keynote speaker! In 2024 we will gather in Atlanta and then in Orlando in

2025. More information about our Annual Conference is available at conference. nrpa.org

American Sports Builders Association: Something that just wrapped up was the national effort, Park and Recreation Month. How long has that been going on?

Kristine Stratton: Since 1985, people in the United States have celebrated Park and Recreation Month in July. Our aim then and now is twofold: first, to promote building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation; and second, to recognize the

more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals, along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers, who maintain our country’s local, state and community parks. This year’s theme, “Where Community Grows,” celebrated the vital role park and recreation professionals play in bringing people together, providing essential services and fostering the growth of our communities. Throughout the month of July, we lifted up the stories of professionals who are changing minds and lives through the power of parks and recreation. ★

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.

AUGUST - US Open Tennis Championships/USTA

Courts Division President Todd Dettor and Executive Director Fred Stringfellow will attend the US Open in New York, NY and meet with USTA representatives.

OCTOBER - NRPA Annual Conference

Executive Director Fred Stringfellow will represent ASBA at the National Recreation and Park Association’s Annual Conference in Dallas, TX on October 10-12.

OCTOBER - FSB Cologne Show

ASBA staff and members will be representing ASBA at the FSB Show in Cologne Germany, October 24-27. If you’re planning to be at FSB, stop by ASBA’s Booth H-080 in Hall 10.2 to say hello. Feel free to use our booth as a connection point with other ASBA members while you’re at the show. If you’re planning to attend, please email us to let us know (nikki@ sportsbuilders.org). Please include your Hall/Stand number so that we can share with attendees at our booth.

DECEMBER - ASBA Technical Meeting and Tradeshow

ASBA’s members, leadership and staff will gather at the Marriott Marquis Houston in Houston, TX for ASBA’s Technical Meeting and Tradeshow on December 1-4. ★

Image by ThePixelman from Pixabay

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: Changes to Softball Rules

Two changes have been recorded; these will become effective in future seasons:

Surfacing for Skinned Areas: The NFHS Softball Rules Committee further clarified the list of approved and non-approved substances to be used as drying agents for the pitcher in Rule 6-2-2. The rule specifies that dirt is not considered a foreign substance and does not have to be wiped from the hand prior to contacting the ball. Acceptable use of drying agents under the supervision and control of the umpire includes powdered rosin or any comparable drying agent listed on USA Softball’s certified equipment website.

Electronic Communication: Rule 1-8-6 now permits electronic information to be transmitted to the dugout from anywhere outside of the live ball area. This reflects current technology and still requires that electronic devices be used in the dugout but no longer stipulates where the video is recorded or how it is transmitted.

A complete listing of the softball rules changes will be available on the NFHS

website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Softball.”

NFHS: Changes to Track & Field and Cross Country Rules

Rule 5-Running Events: Some of the specific language regarding track markings in Rule 5 was deleted and replaced with the following general statement: “Staggered markings are dependent on the geometry of each individual track.” In addition, a NOTE was added to the rule stating that a competent surveyor should determine the lane staggers. The same language was added to Section 9 regarding indoor track and field.

Rule 9 (NEW): Creates new indoor track and field rules section.

Rationale: There are 17 states that conduct state championships in indoor track and field, over 150,000 participants, and 21 states that sanction the activity. With recent changes to the outdoor rules, it became clearer that it was necessary to create a section specifically for indoor track and field rules. Move Records Section to New Rule 10.

Other rules revisions approved by the Track and Field Rules Committee include the following:

• Rules 8-1, 8-5: Clarifies the cross country course layout and reorganizes the rule.

• Rule 9-6-1: New rule offers guidance on the relay exchange zone for indoor track and field.

A complete listing of the track and field rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Track & Field.” ★

Bringing Together The Sports Design And Construction Community

The ASBA Technical Meeting & Tradeshow will be held at the Marriott Marquis Houston in Houston, Texas from December 1-4, 2023. Professionals in the sports design and construction industry worldwide will gather for learning, networking, and business development.

SESSIONS LIST

*AIA/ASLA CEU Eligible

All session/event names & times are subject to change

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1

8:30 AM

Golf Tournament (optional activity - $165/ person)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2

8:00 AM

General Registration Opens

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Post-Tensioned Concrete Construction Seminar (additional registration fee – see blue sidebar)

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Tennis/Pickleball Tournaments (optional activity - $50/person)

1:00 PM

Professional Stadium Tour (optional activity – $TBD/person)

3:45 PM – 4:45 PM

Women of ASBA Reception

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

New Member/1st Time Attendee Reception

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Welcome Reception in Exhibit Hall

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3

9:15 AM – 10:45 AM

Division Meetings/Awards

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Concurrent Sessions 1:

• *1A Courts: Post-Tension Concrete Regional Challenges

• *1B Track: Striping Panel

• *1C Fields: Irrigation – HDPE Update

• 1D General: Navigating Uncertainty

• Indoor Sports Surfaces Summit: Why ASBA? Why Now

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Lunch in Exhibit Hall

1:15 PM – 2:15 PM

Concurrent Sessions 2:

• *2A Courts: Control What You Can: Mitigating Asphalt Issues

• 2B Track: CTB Exam & Track Manual

Review Part 1

• *2C Fields: Sports Field Drainage Considerations

• 2D General: Social Media And The Contractor Panel Discussion

• *Indoor Sports Surfaces Summit: Evolution Of Coatings (Best Practices/ Case Study)

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Concurrent Sessions 3:

• 3A Court Construction Contract Review: How to Protect Yourself Through Use of the Correct Language

• 3B Track: CTB Exam & Track Manual Review Part 2

• *3C Fields: Diamond Sport Field Update

• 3D General: Job Closeout And Retention

• *Indoor Sports Surfaces Summit: Performance Characteristics Of Sport Floors

3:45 PM – 4:45 PM

Concurrent Sessions 4:

• *4A Courts: Overlays

• *4B Track: Ground Penetrating Radar

• *4C Fields: ASTM And Sports Fields: What We Need To Know

• 4D General: Economic Session

• *Indoor Sports Surfaces Summit: Case Study: Synthetics: Applications Outside Of Wood

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Networking Reception in Exhibit Hall

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Breakfast Meetings

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM

Concurrent Sessions 5:

• *5A Courts: Pickleball – What’s Changed And What’s New In 2023

• *5B Track: Track Safety Zones

• *5C Fields: High Performance Sports Fields/Case Study at St. Louis FC

• 5D General: Economic Session

• Indoor Sports Surfaces Summit: Project Management In Today’s World

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

Break in Exhibit Hall

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Concurrent Sessions 6:

• *6A Courts: Padel 101

• *6B Track: Real World Track Repairs: Tips & Tricks

• *6C Fields: Synthetic Turf Base Reuse Considerations

• *6D General: Enhanced Asphalt Specifications

• *Indoor Sports Surfaces Summit: Environmental Conditions For Application Success (Problems/ Causes/Cures)

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Lunch in the Exhibit Hall

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM

Concurrent Sessions 7:

• *7A Courts: Surfacing Considerations For Concrete

• *7B Track: The Effects Of Weather On Polyurethane

• *7C Fields: Design And Maintenance Considerations For Synthetic & Natural Baseball And Softball Fields

• 7D General: Managing Expectations And Dealing With General Contractors/Owners

• Indoor Sports Surfaces Summit: Equipment And Maintenance

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Concurrent Sessions 8:

• *8A Courts: General Practices For Maintaining Clay Courts

• *8B Track: Aging Behavior Of Running Track Surfaces

• *8C Fields: Sports Fields Environmental Impacts

• *Indoor Sports Surfaces Summit: Maple 101

6:00 PM

Reception/Awards Dinner

For the complete schedule, list of sponsors and exhibitors, and additional details about the conference, visit:

sportsbuilders.org/ technicalmeeting

Or scan the QR code!

ASBA’s Post Tensioning Concrete Construction Seminars: A Chance to Learn More

ASBA is pleased once again to present an in-depth learning seminar that will be held in advance of the Technical Meeting in Houston. The topic is one that is growing in every market: post-tensioned concrete construction.*

The seminar (which is available for a separate registration fee) will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023, starting at 10:00 am and concluding at 4:00 pm. It will take place in the Marriott Marquis Houston, the host hotel for the Technical Meeting.

Two Courses of Learning

The seminar is divided into two parts to accommodate different participants:

• Track contractors, and those wishing to further their knowledge of posttension construction in the track sector, should plan to register for the full-day session, which will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Court contractors and those wishing to further their knowledge of posttension construction in the court sector, should plan to register and attend the session that runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Details for each session are as follows:

Design, Construction, And Maintenance of Post-Tensioned Concrete Courts (4-hour seminar on post-tensioned concrete courts):

This seminar presents design and construction recommendations for posttensioned concrete courts based on the DC10.3-20: Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Post-Tensioned Concrete Courts. It is intended for designers, contractors, inspectors and owners’ representatives. It also covers common maintenance, construction and detailing issues. Highlights include general considerations, design requirements, detailing considerations, construction practices, sample specification provisions, elongation, final effective force and conversion factor tables.

Design, Construction and Maintenance of Post-Tensioned Concrete Tracks (6-hour seminar that begins at 10 a.m. and runs to 4 p.m.):

This seminar provides an overview of the current industry practice for design and construction of post-tensioned tracks and an extensive discussion, along with a Q&A session, with experienced industry professionals.

*Note: This session is not sponsored by the Post-Tensioning Institute

Attendees will receive DC10.3-20: Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Post-Tensioned Concrete Courts as the text. PDH certificate issued to attendees ~2 weeks after seminar.

FEATURED ARTICLES

Colleges, High Schools, Clubs and Cities All Want Beach Volleyball: Here’s What ASBA Members Need to Know

Beach volleyball’s popularity is continuing to (ahem) spike. An increasing number of colleges and universities are installing courts (including institutions in landlocked areas), and interest is growing among high schools and competitive clubs. Another area of growth is among sports parks whose owners want to put in courts in order to garner more tournament business.

The continued demand for courts is one of the reasons ASBA has been promoting its newest publication, Courts & Recreational Surfaces: Construction and Maintenance Manual, in order to promote the use of member contractors, and to keep those interested in putting in courts from going to the Internet for D-I-Y construction information (or misinformation, which is often the case).

For those members who are being contacted about putting in courts, the manual is the best investment to make; in the interim, however, here is some basic information to know about this discipline of the sport.

According to the Official Beach Volleyball Rules 2021-2024, published by the International Federation of Volleyball (FIVB), which is the sport’s highest governing body, at the highest level of competition, a space 16m x 8m (about 52-1/2 ft. x 26 ft.) should be set aside for each singles court. The free zone, which is the overrun area outside the playing lines, is a minimum of 5m (16 ft.) and a maximum of 6m (20 ft.) The free zone is on each side of the court, including curbs.

Recognizing that beach volleyball is being contested at multiple levels, the following directives also are in effect:

NCAA: NCAA’s 2021 Beach Volleyball Rules note: Many beach volleyball courts will be built to accommodate both doubles play (16m x 8m court, as mentioned above) and fours or sixes, at 18m x 9m (59 ft. x 29.52 ft.). Buried line anchors for two sets of lines can be placed at the corners of the court, but only one set of lines should be visible during play. The free zone is a minimum of 5m (16-1/2 ft.) and a maximum of 6m (20 ft.).

High School: The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) notes that beach volleyball courts at the high school level are 1m (39 in.) narrower and 2m (6-1/2 ft.) shorter than an indoor court to accommodate playing on sand in a doubles format.

Playing Lines: All playing lines are to be 5cm (2 in.) wide. The lines must be of a color that contrasts sharply with the color of the sand.

Photo courtesy of Miguel Teirlinck on Unsplash

Boundary Lines: Two sidelines and two end lines mark the playing court. There is no center line. Both side and end lines are placed inside the dimensions of the playing court.

Building Multiple Courts: If multiple courts are to be built, care must be taken to provide sufficient space between courts to accommodate safe overrun areas, as well as any dividers that are placed. Diagrams included in the manual offer suggested layouts for multiple courts.

Net Height: FIVB regulations state that the top of the net shall be 2.43m (7.97 ft.) for men and 2.24m (7.3 ft.) for women. The net height varies as follows:

Age Groups

16 years and under 14 years and under 12 years and under

Female

2.24m (7 ft., 3-1/2 in.)

2.12m (7 ft.)

2m (6-1/2 ft.)

Note that exceptions will apply to seated volleyball play in any setting.

Male

2.24m (7 ft., 3-1/2 in.)

2.12m (7 ft.)

2m (6-1/2 ft.)

The height of the net is measured from the center of the playing surface. The height over the two sidelines must be exactly the same and must not exceed the official height by more than 2cm (3/4 in.)

Adequate Drainage: According to NCAA rules, courts need to be playable no later than 30 minutes after a rain event has stopped. That makes drainage a critical component of construction. Unfortunately, as many designers and contractors have discovered, it also is the area where administrations want to cut corners in order to save on costs.

The Right Sand: Granite-based sand (not calcium or limestone) remains more stable throughout the playing season, particularly in the face of precipitation and other adverse weather conditions. The AVCA notes that each court, on average, takes 220 to 250 tons of sand.

Regular Maintenance (and the Right Equipment): Maintenance will be needed at gametime, daily and weekly to keep the sand in optimal condition.

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Colleges, High Schools, Clubs and Cities All Want Beach Volleyball: Here’s What ASBA Members Need to Know , continued

Basic Tools to Recommend:

• Sand-specific rakes (at least one rake for each court)

• Shovels (one or two per court)

• Drag-along sand sifters that collect debris in the sand that could injure players or interrupt play.

• Push/pull wide body raking machines with serrated teeth and rubber tires.

Professional Equipment:

• Walk-behind self-propelled machines that clean and smooth the sand.

• Powered brush machines that smooth the sand

• Sand cleaning machines that are towed behind a tractor or other vehicle (useful for larger areas that need to be smoothed quickly)

Courts Built on Beaches and Lakefronts: The manual includes information on facilities in natural settings; those building these facilities are encouraged to purchase the manual for full details.

Other Beach Sports: The Courts & Rec Manual covers a number of other beach- and sand-based sports that are popular, including beach soccer, beach Ultimate, beach flag football, beach handball, beach rugby and beach lacrosse, as well as others. Some sports are sanctioned by governing bodies, while others are considered recreational in nature; however, players in all beach- or sand-based sports benefit from facilities with proper layout and design, good construction and appropriate drainage, as well as regular maintenance. More information is available in the book.

For purchasing information, go to ASBA’s website, www.sportsbuilders.org and mouse over the top blue toolbar that reads “Resources.” A drop-down menu will include “Publications.” The manual can be purchased in both hard copy and PDF format. ★

The Rise of Disc Sports

…And How That Growth Will Impact ASBA Members

Flying disc sports (these were once referred to as Frisbee sports; however, Wham-O, the owner of the Frisbee name, got possessive about its use), have been growing at all levels. And while it might be easy to assume these are simply recreational pursuits, the fact is that they attract competition up to and including international athletes.

Flying disc sports are governed at the highest level by the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF), and within the USA, are most popularly seen in two main disciplines, both of which are covered in ASBA’s book, Courts & Recreational Surfaces: Construction and Maintenance Manual

Ultimate: Ultimate is a non-contact, self-refereed team sport in which two teams of seven players each compete on a playing field about the same length as a football field (100m or a little over 109 yards), but narrower (37m, or approximately 40-1/2 yards) At each end of the playing field there is an end zone, and each team

is responsible for defending its own end zone. As with football, teams can score a goal if one of their players catches the disc in the opposite end zone.

Unlike football, players may not run with the disc, but instead, will move the disc down the field by passing it to teammates in any direction. The defensive team gets possession of the disc if an offensive team’s throw is not caught by a player of the same team. Then the defensive team becomes the offensive team and can try to score in the opposite end zone.

While Ultimate is popular recreationally, such as in pick-up games nationwide, it is also contested internationally; this year, for example, WFDF offers a number of competitive events, such as WFDF 2023 World Under-24 Ultimate Championships, WFDF 2023 Asia Oceanic Ultimate Championships, WFDF 2023 World Wheelchair Ultimate Championships and WFDF 2023 All Africa Ultimate Championships.

Another discipline of Ultimate is Beach

Ultimate. The rules are the same with the exception that Beach Ultimate is played on a smaller field (75x25m, or approximately 82 yards x 27 yards) and is generally played with five players per side. There is also a four-on-four version that is gaining popularity, particularly as a means of showcasing the sport.

Something unique about Ultimate is that it is self-refereed, relying on a model known as The Sprit of the Game, which encourages good sportsmanship and fair play at all levels, from beginner to international championships.

Diagrams of playing areas for all versions of Ultimate can be found in the Courts & Rec Manual.

Disc Golf: Disc golf is played much like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a flying disc. The ob-

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Photo by John Kofi on Unsplash

The Rise of Disc Sports …And How That Growth Will Impact ASBA Members , continued

ject of disc golf is to throw from a tee pad to a hole (target or basket) and complete each hole in as few throws as possible.

The sport grew tremendously during the pandemic, since it allowed families to explore local parks, where many courses are located. Disc golf courses are generally 9 or 18 holes (although there are certainly exceptions to this). The sport is unique in that it has governance from two organizations: the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) and WFDF. Additionally, some golf courses are adding baskets for disc golf play to encourage wider use of their facilities.

While disc golf courses are generally shorter than traditional golf courses, they often challenge players by getting them to toss the disc when faced with natural obstacles such as hills, rocks and trees. As such, the layout of a disc golf course is impossible to determine, although the PDGA recommends that courses average 61m to 122m (200 ft. to 400 ft.) per hole, with holes no shorter than 30m (100 ft.) The longest holes in the world are more than 460m (1,500 ft.) long. Many disc golf facilities have multiple courses to challenge players of various skill levels.

Targets used outdoors on disc golf courses are generally set into concrete footings on the course; however, targets also can be portable; these are often used at camps, clinics, trade shows and recreational installations, as well as for backyard play. The PDGA publishes a list of approved targets for use at various levels.

Several other disc sports are recognized by the WFDF; these include:

Guts: Guts is played by two teams of 5 players each. The playing field consists of two parallel goal-lines 15 m in length and 14 m apart (approximately 16 yards x 15 yards). The teams stand in line opposite each other. Each team defends a goal-line. The disc is thrown back and forth between the teams. The object is to throw the disc through the line of defending players.

Freestyle: Freestyle is an extended game of catch and throw where freestylers perform special tricks or maneuvers before performing the catch.

Overall: Overall Disc Sports competition is similar to the heptathlon in track and field. The Overall combines multiple disc sports (some individual sports and some pairs sports) and tests a player’s skills and abilities across the spectrum of disciplines (examples might include disc golf and throwing for distance).

ASBA will continue to follow the growth of these sports, as well as their incorporation into parks, clubs and other areas. ★

Note regarding technical content of BUILD IT RIGHT: One of the most important advantages of ASBA’s new magazine will be its upgraded technical content. It is our goal to provide articles covering trends in sports facility design, construction and appointment.

As always, we value your input on any issues you believe warrant coverage in this section. Please contact our editor, Mary Helen Sprecher, at maryhelen@sportsbuilders.org

ON THE BOOKSHELF

What’s On the Bookshelf... and What is Changing?

All publications are available both in hard copy and via electronic download. For ordering information, go to ASBA’s website, www.sportsbuilders.org, and select the tab on the blue menu bar labeled “Publications.”

Updated diagrams for many other facilities are also available using ASBA’s Diagram App.

ASBA not only keeps a comprehensive library of publications, with resources for designers, builders and suppliers (as well as end users), but it publishes regular updates of those books, taking into consideration the latest technological developments in the industry. Here is what you can expect from ASBA’s current publications, all of which are currently in stock.

Sports Fields: A Construction & Maintenance Manual (2020) will debut a new edition in 2024.

Among the updates are the following:

• Information and layouts for small-sided soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and other sports

• Fields for special populations: Including sports like soccer for the blind, beep baseball and the growing trend of Miracle Fields, as well as the lining of sports fields for those who are color-blind.

• A chapter on lighting of sports fields

• Synthetic turf for other installations (includes dog parks)

Other chapters are being revised and updated to conform with new rules and regulations, as well as construction trends and other concerns.

ASBA expects to offer the new fields manual in early 2024.

Pickleball Courts: Construction & Maintenance Manual (2020) is also working on its next edition.

Among the updates are the following:

• Updated information on fence heights

• Updates to lighting information and requirements

• New information on court conversions

• Changes to information regarding the clear playing space around and behind courts

ON THE BOOKSHELF

What’s On the Bookshelf... and What is Changing? , continued

Tennis Courts: Construction and Maintenance Manual (2021) will begin revisions in the near future; information will be reported here.

Courts & Recreational Surfaces: Construction and Maintenance Manual (2023) is available for purchase; updates are not expected to begin for several years.

Note: Courts & Recreational Surfaces replaces ASBA’s previous publication, Indoor Sports Surfaces: An Installation and Maintenance Manual.

Information on ordering all books can be found on ASBA’s website, www.sportsbuilders.org. Under the Resources tab at the top of the home page, click on Publications. Book can be purchased in either hard copy or pdf format. ★

MEMBER NEWSLINE

Want your company featured in Member News? 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.

American Sport Surfaces

Adds Four Pickleball Courts to Mobile’s Inventory President of American Sports Surfaces, Jeff Nichols, alongside Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson and City Councilman William Carroll, helped to cut the ribbon to officially open four new pickleball courts at James Seals Park in Mobile, Alabama.

American Sports Surfaces converted the four tennis court facility to four pickleball courts and two resurfaced tennis courts. “These are absolutely in perfect condition, so we look forward to seeing a whole lot of play on them,” Mayor Stimpson said.

Alex Nichols recently joined the family business as the Director of Business Development to help carry out his father’s legacy. He left behind his corporate life in Washington, D.C. and brought along his wife, Reagan, who manages the company’s marketing and human resources. ★

sports events like never before. The LED display can project anything directly onto the playing surface, enhancing the engagement and excitement of the game.

The ASB LumiFlex will span a staggering 14,000 square feet, which equates to around 5,200 LED panels, transforming the traditional sports field into a dynamic canvas of light.

The sports complex will become a versatile space for indoor sports and prestigious brand launch events. The facility will host a wide range of sports, including basketball, pickleball, volleyball and more, creating an environment that caters to athletes and fans of diverse sporting disciplines.

Construction is set to begin in the coming months and already, anticipation is building for this groundbreaking project. ★

vide products that are environmentally sustainable, and we’ll continue to push that envelope as technology continues to advance.”

The new certification also allows facilities with Beynon surfaces featuring the designated certified products to qualify for additional LEED credits through the U.S Green Building Council, Gasparovic adds.

Beynon Sports has seen its track and field surfacing used in over 7,500 installations in North America in the last 10 years, including at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, 2022 Commonwealth Games and NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships. ★

ASB LumiFlex to be Featured in New Sports Complex

Plans have been unveiled for a sports complex that will revolutionize the way athletes play and fans experience sporting events. The facility in Florida, in a yet-to-be disclosed location, will feature the ASB LumiFlex, an innovative and flexible sports floor made of glass with LED technology, which will serve as the centerpiece of the complex.

The incorporation of the ASB LumiFlex will enable spectators to witness live

Eight Beynon Sports Products Receive USDA Biopreferred® Certification

Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture certified that eight Beynon Sports products now meet or exceed minimum USDA-certified biobased content for polyurethane coatings. All eight products contain a minimum of 25% biobased content, a certification requirement.

“The independent testing and certification of these products brings additional validity to what we’ve been doing for years,” says Mike Gasparovic, Vice President – Plant Operations and R&D for Beynon Sports.

“We’ve always been on the cutting edge, leading the charge in our industry to pro-

ClearSpan Structures Completes New Pickleball Facility

For over 40 years, ClearSpan Structures has been providing building solutions for athletics and racquet facilities of all kinds. As pickleball continues to grow, users have found ClearSpan buildings perfectly complement the booming sport.

ClearSpan recently finished construction on another pickleball facility for Tellico Village Pickleball in Loudon, Tennessee. Tellico Village needed a structure to ensure play could continue during inclement weather, so they opted for a ClearSpan HD Beam Building that stands 74 feet wide by 180 feet long.

The structure takes advantage of an open-walled design that maximizes natural ventilation, creating a comfortable playing environment. It is covered with

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ClearSpan’s renowned fabric, which allows natural light to filter through to the inside of the structure. This allows operations to save money by eliminating the need for artificial lighting during the daytime hours. It also dampens the light, so it is easy on the eyes and shadow free, perfect for racquet sports of all kinds. ★

main plant in Switzerland, but also at a production plant in the USA. The Buford, Georgia location opened officially on June 21, 2018. Establishing a new production plant in the USA was a major milestone in the company’s history.

Within five years, the location became an established manufacturer of high-quality EPDM granules in the USA. In line with the company’s guiding principle, we // live // quality, the U.S. location has enabled GEZOLAN to create shorter delivery routes and lead times for the company’s local customers.

“We have had a longstanding goal to bring the two companies back together again,” said Rob Fetherston, Vice-President of Munson, Inc. “We are both quality-detailed in our work, serve a similar customer base and geographical area, and have expertise in tennis, pickleball and other sports surfaces.”

The acquisition will add close to 15 employees from Frank Armstrong Paving and Sports Surfacing to Munson Inc.’s workforce, which totaled around 50 employees prior to the reunion.

Frasure Reps Lights Up ACES Pickleball + Kitchen

Frasure Reps recently supplied indoor and outdoor lighting for ACES Pickleball + Kitchen. ACES is Greater Cincinnati’s new state-of-the-art pickleball complex, featuring 11 pro-level, cushion-based pickleball courts. The outdoor courts are illuminated with LSI Zone Large LED fixtures. The average light level of 50 footcandles on the courts meets USAP Category II lighting guidelines.

ACES Pickleball + Kitchen is part of the Factory 52 mega-development. The development sits on the site of the old United States Playing Card Co. that opened in the late 1800s. The Factory 52 development includes two breweries, apartments, shopping, dining and entertainment. ★

With about 30 employees in total, GEZOLAN can assure daily production and availability for the North American market. With its own U.S. sales team, GEZOLAN also ensures excellent support for its North American customers. The company’s presence in the U.S. guarantees optimal availability of top-quality EPDM granules and the best possible service. ★

“We are bringing as many qualified employees as possible to grow our team in the grading, paving, seal coating and color coating areas,” Fetherston said. “The addition of these talented industry professionals is by far the greatest benefit of this merger to our organization.” ★

GEZOLAN’s US Production Plant Celebrates 5th Anniversary

For five years, GEZOLAN has been producing its EPDM granules not only at the

Munson Inc. Acquires Frank Armstrong Paving, Reuniting Companies After 46 Years

Munson Inc., serving southeastern Wisconsin, has acquired Butler-based Frank Armstrong Paving and Sports Surfacing, a historic reunification of two organizations that parted ways in 1977.

The merger returns Frank Armstrong Paving and Sports Surfacing to its original home. The company opened in 1977 when Frank Armstrong left Munson Inc. to start his own venture. Former Munson Inc. employee, and current Frank Armstrong Paving owner, Scott Greenlees, joined Frank a few years later.

Sports Turf Completes First-Ever NFL FLAG Branded Field in the Country Sports Turf Company is proud to announce the completion of the first-ever NFL FLAG branded field at Grandview School in Dothan, Alabama. Through support from the NFL Foundation and the Atlanta Falcons, the existing natural grass field was renovated to an artificial turf facility to host the area’s flag football games and practices for more than 1,000 boys and girls.

NFL FLAG is the largest youth football league in the U.S., serving both male and female athletes of all abilities from four to 17 years of age. The field will allow these athletes to develop their fundamental football skills in a positive, inclusive environment.

Sports Turf Company renovated the existing natural grass field into a durable, performance-based artificial turf system. Astro Turf’s RootZone® 3D System, a per-

*ASBA reserves the right to edit all information submitted.

formance surface combining slit-film and monofilament fibers and the RootZone layer of texturized fibers provide optimum durability and better shock absorbency for athletes. ★

force and other important team members.

CEO and President Christian Martinkat states, “The U.S. site has experienced phenomenal growth in its 20 years. When we opened, we only brought with us a couple of customers. We literally started from scratch. Since then, we have expanded our product portfolio and markets, installed numerous equipment, streamlined processes, improved technology and completed numerous renovations. These continuous improvement projects have allowed us to be even better.”

er service has allowed them to become a trusted supplier and will continue being committed to their customers, employees and partners for many years to come. ★

STOCKMEIER Urethanes USA, Inc. Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary STOCKMEIER Urethanes USA, Inc in Clarksburg, West Virginia, celebrates its 20th anniversary as a specialty polyurethane systems manufacturer for the industrial and sports and leisure industries.

At the start, there were just eight employees; today, the site employs over 75, consisting of researchers, laboratory technicians, production operators, a sales

Site Chief of Staff, Melissa Martinkat, added that the company focuses on supporting local communities and schools with fundraisers, charities, scholarships and sponsorships. They also continue being an environmental steward by being members of and participating in the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care® program.

STOCKMEIER Urethanes USA’s dedication to quality, innovation and superior custom-

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.

Track & Field: World Athletics, the international governing body of track & field, has announced it will be introducing new rules and a “short track” format for races run on 200-meter tracks, which have traditionally been in enclosed arenas and referred to as “indoor” events.

Short track world records can now be set at indoor or outdoor events under a proposal that is expected to come into effect in November, making November 1 the effective date of rules changes.

Short track records would be recognized in distances from 200 meters up to 5,000 meters and in some relay and mixed relay events. The world body is proposing race walking events over 3,000 and 5,000 meters and the pentathlon and heptathlon also have short track world records.

The indoor world championships will still exist as will other indoor meets, but official short track meets held in any location could be used as qualifying events for major indoor championships, World Athletics has noted.

Pickleball: Rising in popularity is the concept of the “picklemall,” the conversion of vacant big-box stores to indoor pickleball facilities. This is occurring not just in standalone retail establishments, such as former Bed Bath & Beyond locations, but in malls where large department stores have departed. Some examples:

• ProShot Pickleball came into being after its owner leased out a vacant Burlington store in New Jersey.

• Pickleball America has leased more than 80,000 sq. ft. in a former Saks Off 5th at Stamford Town Center, Connecticut.

• All-Stars Pickleball Club took over an Old Navy space in Steeplegate Mall in New Hampshire.

• A former Belk store will be home of a 32-court indoor pickleball facility, as part of a larger redevelopment of Macon Mall, in Macon, Georgia.

Picklemalls are seen as a growing trend since they offer not just rainproof and windproof playing conditions but HVAC, free parking, restrooms and accessibility.

Also of note: An increasing number of pickleball courts are going in at the college and university level. The sport is nowhere near applying for NCAA championship status, but USA Pickleball has a page devoted to college clubs.

Golf: Topgolf will be included as a medal sport in the Special Olympics starting in 2024. This is expected to increase the demand for putting greens (including in the backyard) and driving ranges (including netted facilities in urban areas).

Playgrounds: Six in seven U.S. adults want their local government to make investments that ensure children have access to safe and inclusive playgrounds, according to the latest National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Park Pulse Poll. ★

The Olympics have always been a big driver of interest in sports. After all, when beach volleyball made its debut, it caused an enormous demand for courts – more information on that can be seen in the article elsewhere in this issue.

While the medal sports for the Summer Olympic Games generally do not change from year to year, each hosting city is now allowed to suggest what are known as “showcase sports,” meaning they may be allowed in that one Olympic cycle, but not in the next one. (Case in point: Baseball and softball, as well as karate, were included in the Tokyo Games, but will be absent in 2024 in Paris.)

In 2024, the confirmed showcase sports will be competitive climbing, surfing (likely to be contested in Tahiti), skateboarding and breaking (known in U.S. pop culture as breakdancing) – and by the way, breaking is far more popular worldwide than it is in the U.S., where it’s viewed as a byproduct of the 80s.

What Might be Showcased in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics... And What Might That Mean to ASBA Members?

Now, the IOC is turning its sights toward the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. While it is not due to make a decision until mid-October, when the 140th IOC Session will be held in the Indian city of Mumbai, Olympic officials have shortlisted some sports for consideration:

• Motor sports

• Cricket

• Karate

• Baseball and softball

• Breaking

• Kickboxing

• Squash

• American football (flag football format for men and women)

• Lacrosse (World Lacrosse has been promoting a small-sided format known as sixes; this was featured at the 2022 World Games with men’s and women’s competitions. The discipline is at the center of lacrosse’s Olympic vision.)

Pundits are saying the IOC (whose leadership is always in search of sports that have

a youthful following) will select breaking; however, it’s hard to know if, or how many, other sports also might be chosen.

The IOC has confirmed that 28 sports will be present in Los Angeles 2028. The LA 2028 Games also have a cap of 10,500 athletes, which will be the fewest since Atlanta in 1996. That could mean that individual sports (like squash and karate) could have a better chance than team sports (like baseball/softball, lacrosse, cricket and flag football). However, there is no hard cap on the number of events that can be included in the Olympic Games, aside from those of participant limits and financial/ environmental sustainability policies.

One thing is for sure: The Olympics represent the greatest stage available, and any sport lucky enough to land a showcase spot is in for an excellent opportunity for exposure to a new demographic worldwide. That, in turn, could translate into more opportunities for ASBA members to build the facilities that host those sports. ★

Photo by Uriel Soberanes on Unsplash

ASBA MEMBERS

New Members & Certified Builders

NEW MEMBERS

Builder

• Allen Sports Floors, LLC

• Arizona Hardwood Floor Supply, Inc.

• Bauer Sport Floors, Inc.

• Brandsen Floors

• Courts Unlimited, LLC

• CourTex Construction Inc.

• Creative Floors Coating & Design

• Eaglecrest Enterprises, Inc.

• GeoSport Lighting Systems, LLC

• Joe Rollins Hardwood Floors Inc.

• Lancelot Industries, LLC

• Metropolitan Sports Surfaces, LLC

• Phillip’s Floors Inc.

• Ponder Company, Inc.

• Praters Flooring

• Premier Sports Lighting

• Schmidt Custom Floors

• Scout Sport Floors

• Southern Flooring

• Sports & Tennis Construction

• Titan Sport Systems

• Turfwell Athletic Fields, LLC

• Veterans Floors, Inc.

• Western Sport Floor

Professional

• Lord of Wood, LLC

Provisional

• Leon de Oro USA - An American Netting Company

Supplier

• AFP Courts S.L.

• Basic Coatings

• Consan USA, Inc.

• Infinity Wood Floors/ Aacer Flooring

• KOSTER American Corp

• No Apologies, LLC dbs. C&D Pickleball Nets

• Spartan Sports Lighting

NEW CERTIFIED BUILDERS

• Michael Allen, CFB-S / Shaw Sports Turf

• Bill Gillan, CFB / The LandTek Group, Inc.

• Parker Lohman, CFB / Sports Contractors Unlimited

• Bradley Taylor, CTCB / Court Surface Specialists, Ltd.