Build It Right - Spring 2024, Issue 8

Two MORE Great Reasons to Enter ASBA’s Award Program

SFIA Topline Participation Report Has Encouraging News for ASBA Members

EPA Ruling on Safety of Synthetic Fields

Build It Right

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

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

HEADLINE NEWS

Two MORE Great Reasons to Enter ASBA’s Award Program

SFIA Topline Participation Report Has Encouraging News for ASBA Members

Rolling Off the Presses Now: The New Fields Book RacquetX Debuts in Miami

INDUSTRY VIEWS

An Interview with Dr. Karissa Niehoff, Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations

MEETING NEWS

ASBA Winter Meeting Recap

FEATURES

EPA Affirms Safety of Synthetic Sports Fields with Crumb Rubber Infill

Researcher Seeking Input from Sports Field Professionals to Help Solve Mystery of Gehrig’s ALS

PLAYING BY THE RULES

ASBA took a break from the winter in February for our annual Winter Meeting, this year in Puerto Rico. A record audience of 160 people gathered there for association work and networking (a 45% increase over last year’s Winter Meeting). Much progress was made on the content for the Technical Meeting which will be held in Orlando this year in early December. A big “thank you” to each attendee who volunteered their time and money to come to Puerto Rico and to contribute to the programs and content that we’re building at ASBA for the benefit of the entire industry.

One of the things we spent time discussing in Puerto Rico was the ASBA Awards program, including the categories, the criteria and the invaluable recognition that winners receive throughout the year. With ASBA’s new Instagram presence and increased social media efforts, winning facilities and the ASBA members who design and build them receive more recognition than ever before! For those members new to the Courts Division, we now have three “Indoor Sports Flooring” award categories.

Mark our deadline, June 14th, on your calendars and make this the year to submit your entries to the ASBA Awards program!

I want to recognize the significant efforts that are being made by the newly created American Sports Builders Foundation.

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

In its first year, the Foundation has been raising money to fund scholarships for students in sports design, construction and related fields AND helping underserved communities gain access to sports facilities with the help of these funds. Scholarship applications and facility nomination forms were circulated earlier this year. Stay tuned for more information about scholarship recipients and facility projects in the coming weeks.

Be proud that ASBA and its members are doing good things for our industry and the communities we serve. ★

Sincerely,

Randy Resley

The Waterproofing Experts

info@kosterusa.com

Randy Resley

HEADLINE NEWS

Two MORE Great Reasons to Enter ASBA’s Awards Program

Mary Helen Sprecher

There are now even more reasons to enter your outstanding facilities in ASBA’s awards program. The first (and newest) reason is this: Recertification Points! For any project submitted that is honored in the category appropriate to his or her certification, the certified builder can obtain up to three points in one year – and six points over the course of three years.

Look at it as a win/win: A way of getting extra recognition for a project you worked on, and certification points to boot!

What’s another great reason? Marketing value for your business.

Sam Fisher (Fisher Tracks, Boone, Iowa) says awards can be part of the decision-making process, particularly when a prospective client needs reassurance.

“Showing the list of projects with the company involvement that has received awards from ASBA goes a long ways in providing that comfort level that is being sought.”

“The ASBA’s slogan is “Build it Right” and winning an award for a project is a testament to quality construction practices as recognized by our industry association,” points out Chris Franks (SCG Fields LLC, Brecksville, Ohio). “I also associate award-winning work with attention to detail, excellent customer service and going above and beyond. Those are great characteristics of a company.”

“We believe that the awards give us increased credibility and visibility,” adds Linn Lower of Lower Bros. Tennis Courts (Birmingham, Alabama). “In addition, many in the tennis and pickleball community subscribe to RSI Magazine. Seeing pictures of our award-winning projects, along with the related company information, allows those who may not know us to visualize what we may also be able to do for them. We believe that all of this has led to new business opportunities.”

John Eren of Classic Turf Company, LLC (Woodbury, Connecticut) has also leveraged award success in his company’s social media marketing, which, he adds, “has been very successful in terms of exposure to new customers and industry professionals, which in turn, leads to new projects and a positive reputation.”

The call for entries has already gone out; just click on the link of sportsbuilders.org/facilityawards to get started.

Note: The awards process hinges on the fine details of projects. For this reason, ASBA strongly encourages member companies to carefully review all the information of the Facility Awards, including official rules, categories, application and judging process, and costs/deadlines prior to submitting an application.

Deadline for all entries is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 14, 2024.

Award winners in all facility categories are notified of their status in late summer. Announcement of the Facility of the Year winners is made during this year’s ASBA Technical Meeting, to be held in Orlando from December 3-6.

In order to qualify for entry, a company must be an ASBA member in good standing. Projects submitted must have been completed within the current year or within the previous two calendar years (ending Dec. 31 prior to the application deadline). ★

SFIA Topline Participation Report Has Encouraging News for ASBA Members

Mary Helen Sprecher

The Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) released its Topline Sports Participation report recently and it’s all good news for ASBA members.

This report features data from the largest single source sports, fitness and leisure activity participation study in the country, tracking a total of 124 sports, recreation and fitness activities. Here are some highlights:

• In the Team Sports category, 20 of the 24 sports tracked by SFIA showed increases, where only five showed growth the previous year. This reflects an overall trend in the United States of strong demand for team sports opportunities following the forced isolation and breakup of teams during the pandemic period.

• Trend analysis from this report also highlights the fitness category, where many health club-based activities, such as Treadmill, Stair-Climbing, Rowing Machine, and most class-based fitness activities, such as Barre, Pilates, and Yoga, saw good gains in participation in 2023. This is also good news for the Association’s Indoor Sports Surfaces Community.

• For the third year in a row, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, having grown 51.8 percent last year and an incredible 223.5 percent (yes, you read that correctly) in three years. This contributed to the overall very healthy participation trend in the Racquet Sports category, which notably reflects continued robust participation numbers from tennis as well.

• Every sports category (fitness sports, outdoor sports, individual sports, racquet sports, team sports, water sports, and winter sports) increased the overall number of participants in their category. Winter sports, team Sports, racquet sports and water sports all increased participation by over 9 percent.

• Team sports participation, or the number of people playing a team sport, has clearly surpassed its pre-pandemic high in 2019, as 25.7 percent of Americans aged 6+ played a team sport in 2023 compared to 23.4 percent in 2019.

• Five million more people participated in racquet sports in 2023 compared to 2022. Every racquet sport that SFIA tracks increased their participation from 2022 to 2023 except table tennis, which had a slight decline.

The two largest participation categories, fitness and outdoor, also showed modest increases in participation. Outdoor participation increased by 4.1 percent year-over-year while fitness grew by 0.6% year-over year. Fitness sports continue to have the most participants with around 208 million people participating in fitness activities. Fitness is the only category that has over 200 million participants.

The SFIA makes the report available free to its members; it is available at a charge of $350 for non-members. For information, visit sfia.org/research. ★

HEADLINE NEWS

Rolling Off the Presses Now: The New Fields Book

Mary Helen Sprecher

The fifth edition of Sports Fields: A Construction & Maintenance Manual is rolling off the presses now. Have you ordered your copy?

The new fields book has all the great information you’ve come to expect, including field planning and design, choosing a contractor and, of course, construction and maintenance of both natural and synthetic fields.

New this year is expanded information on small-sided fields, accessibility and alternate uses for grass and synthetic fields. Many diagrams have been updated to follow the guidance set forth by the appropriate governing bodies.

This is the publication that is used as the textbook for the Certified Field Builder (CFB) exam, as well as CFB-N (for natural fields) and CFB-S (for synthetic fields).

The book has been endorsed by the Synthetic Turf Council, Sports Field Management Association and ASTM International.

The new book is available in both hard copy and PDF; the cost is $49.95.

To order go to ASBA’s website, www.sportsbuilders.org and from the blue toolbar at the top of the page, mouse over the word “Resources.” A drop-down menu will appear and “Publications” will be the first option.

While you’re there, don’t forget ASBA’s other great publications:

• Tennis Courts: Construction and Maintenance Manual

• Pickleball Courts: Construction & Maintenance Manual

• Running Tracks: A Construction and Maintenance Manual

• Courts & Recreational Surfaces: Construction and Maintenance Manual ★

RacquetX Debuts in Miami

Mary Helen Sprecher

The first-ever RacquetX event was held in Miami on March 24-26. The event went beyond the definition of a traditional tradeshow and included full-size courts for padel, pickleball and tennis for demos and open play. There was a large presence of suppliers and participants of padel-related infrastructure and products, which is credited with fueling much of the interest in this year’s event.

ASBA members participated in a panel presentation on Design/Build Considerations in the New Wave of Racquet Sports Facilities to a standing-room-only crowd. Panelists included Todd Dettor, Tim Gerrits, David Lasota, Eric Loftus and Peter Francesconi. Given the warm reception and interest in the topic, this presentation will be scheduled as part of ASBA’s Technical Meeting, within the Courts Division programming in December in Orlando.

ASBA hosted a booth within the event, which was frequented by potential members, as well as individuals seeking design and build services for their facilities and technical information on facility construction.

The thee-day event was held concurrently with the Miami Open Tennis Tournament, an additional draw for participants of RacquetX.

ASBA’s Instagram coverage during the RacquetX Expo was a great success, resulting in a padel video going viral with 3,515 likes and the follower count experienced a substantial boost of 135 from the prior week. ★

INDUSTRY VIEWS

An Interview with Dr. Karissa Niehoff, Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations

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 Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is the body that writes the rules of competition for most high school sports and activities in the United States. Its headquarters are located in White River State Park in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Over 19,500 high schools belong to associations that are members of NFHS. Most high schools, whether public or private, belong to their state’s high school association; in turn, each state association belongs to the NFHS. NFHS publishes rules books for each sport or activity, and most states adopt those rules wholly for state high school competition including the non-member private school associations.

ASBA has enjoyed a strong relationship with NFHS for years, including with Julie Cochran, who is the NFHS Director of Sports, and who meets with ASBA each spring to review rules changes that could affect facilities (as well as to help NFHS keep up to date on new construction as they affect facilities).

American Sports Builders Association: What trends has the NFHS noticed in sports facilities?

Dr. Niehoff: We just finished hosting our winter meeting and one of the things ath -

letic directors are emphasizing is the need for access to facilities as a whole. The state of Hawaii, for example, doesn’t have facilities for some of its championships at the high school level. Other states have reported this as well; it permeates the industry. It is really frustrating, particularly in underserved communities where there are fewer opportunities for kids to play sports; in those areas, sports participation could actually save kids’ lives by giving them not just a place to play but a family and a sense of community.

American Sports Builders Association: What kinds of facilities in particular would NFHS like to see increase?

Dr. Niehoff: There has been a really, really heartbreaking shortage of pools and that has been a problem for years. We know why, of course: They are a money loser because they are expensive and difficult to maintain. If schools do have pools, they are usually too small to host anything but dual meets, so that means, to have a state championship, you need to rent (and travel to) other, larger facilities, and that usually creates an economic hardship.

Another place where there is a shortfall is ice facilities; like pools, they are expensive and difficult to maintain. Many schools use community ice facilities, but the problem is that after school and in the evenings, when school teams want to practice and have their competitions, those facilities are busy with other programming.

Communities need to ask themselves this: What is our incentive? What is our altruistic commitment to providing these facilities so that kids can participate in sports? And big facilities that generally host things like AAU tournaments need to ask whether they can use some of their revenues to help support these activities at the high school level by providing playing time when it is needed.

Many of our state associations have to pay to host their championships in a collegiate or professional arena, and it can get really expensive. For example, in Georgia, they would rent the dome to host football championships and that would cost $350,000 per day. In Georgia, they are lucky enough to have the football ticket revenues to afford it but obviously, not every state has that.

American Sports Builders Association: What other sports do you see that suffer from a lack of school facilities?

Dr. Niehoff: One with a strong story is gymnastics. Every four years, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams do well, which gets kids interested at a young age; however, if they want to participate in high school, they can’t. We used to have 16 states offering gymnastics with a high school championship and we just lost our last state that does that. Gymnastics grows and thrives in the club model these days.

American Sports Builders Association: Why do you think it decreased so much at the high school level?

Dr. Niehoff: It all goes back to facilities. If you set up your gym for gymnastics, it basically dominates the gym, meaning it can’t be used for basketball, volleyball or anything else. As a result, schools are hesitant to host those events. In general, athletes who make it to the Olympics are not those who participated in high school gymnastics but those who came in through clubs, and whose talents were identified early, and who received intensive coaching starting at a young age.

American Sports Builders Association: What sports are on the rise at the high school level? We’ve seen the growth of pickleball nationwide, for example.

Dr. Niehoff: We are seeing explosive growth in pickleball. That growth is not so much in the interscholastic space but in clubs. It will probably only be a short time until the high school community begins sponsoring championships.

What has really stepped in front of that, however, is flag football. Flag has a ton of momentum in the high school space. In the next year, we expect to see 24 state championships – almost half our membership – so it is really growing quickly. Colleges have jumped in too. The interesting thing we’re seeing is that in terms of girls competing in high school flag, only about half are coming from another sport. That means they were not engaged in any other high school sport previously, so flag football is their first time representing their school. In other words, schools will hang out the shingle and girls will come out of the woodwork to participate.

American Sports Builders Association: Women’s wrestling has been approved as an NCAA championship sport, with a first championship expected to be hosted in winter 2026. How is it doing at the high school level?

Dr. Niehoff: Absolutely huge growth there. We saw a 44 percent increase in girls wrestling and a total of 33 states are sanctioning girls wrestling championships. Women’s wrestling is in the Olympics, and one of the top female wrestlers in the world is a high school girl from the USA.

American Sports Builders Association: NFHS recently offered its first sports participation data for students since the pandemic.

Dr. Niehoff: Yes, we didn’t conduct our participation survey for a few years after that because the data would have been really skewed. We’re glad to be able to track sports participation again.

American Sports Builders Association: What else is the NFHS concentrating on, in terms of high school sports?

Dr. Niehoff: When it comes to kids and sports, you have to look at the reasons for participation, and in particular, in the emphasis on formative vs. performative. Formative is healthy because it includes all the life lessons that come from sports: being part of team, listening to your

coach, being part of a community and having a healthy lifestyle. Performative puts an emphasis on external factors like accolades and scholarships. There’s an emphasis on the performative when we’re watching pro sports, but people should not be emphasizing those things when it comes to high school athletes. ★

MEETING NEWS ASBA Winter Meeting Recap: Work Hard, Play Hard

Work hard, play hard. That axiom definitely applied to ASBA’s Winter Meeting, held in late February in Puerto Rico.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve provided the backdrop for three days of networking and moving the Association forward –as well as for reconnecting with friends and taking some time to unwind before the construction season kicked into high gear.

The work done on the Association’s behalf will be evident at the Technical Meeting, since each membership division was able to map out its sessions, and to suggest speakers. Additionally, divisions were able to discuss issues of concern, to review position papers and to identify topics that should be brought up to the larger group that will be present in Orlando.

If you missed this meeting, make sure to mark your calendar for ASBA’s next Winter Meeting, to be held February 21-23, 2025, at the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor, Florida. ★

FEATURED ARTICLES

EPA Affirms Safety of Synthetic Sports Fields with Crumb Rubber Infill

Photo by Hans Reniers on Unsplash

Great news for synthetic field proponents: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a multi-agency research report reaffirming the safety of synthetic turf sports fields that use crumb rubber infill.

The study found no significant difference in the exposure from certain chemicals found between players who played on synthetic turf fields that use crumb rubber infill, and those who played on grass fields.

The report also cited three independent studies that demonstrated the safety of synthetic turf fields or system components:

• Netherlands National Institute for Health and Environment wrote that the “risk to health from playing sports on these synthetic turf fields is virtually negligible.”

• European Chemicals Agency found “no reason to advise people against playing sports on synthetic turf containing recycled rubber granules as infill material.”

• National Toxicology Program found there “was no evidence of toxicity in mice from ingestion of crumb rubber.”

In February 2016, the EPA, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR) and in collaboration with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), started a multi-agency research effort called the Federal Research Action Plan on the Use of Tire Crumbs in Playing Fields and Playgrounds (FRAP). In April 2024, the agencies released the Synthetic Turf Field Recycled Tire Crumb Rubber Characterization Research Final Report: Part 2 -Tire Crumb Rubber Exposure Characterization

More information is available from the EPA.

Mary Helen Sprecher

FEATURED ARTICLES

PFAS Regulations: What ASBA Members Need to Know

The EPA also announced the latest efforts to lower the health risks posed by certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in drinking water; the EPA has established levels of PFAS that must be observed. Full information on the regulations, and on the allowable concentrations, can be found on the EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas.

This is the first overarching regulation promulgated by PFAS; previously, PFAS were regulated via an uneven patchwork of laws that varied from state to state.

Complicating the problem is the fact that PFAS also have been found in sportswear, including moisture-wicking and water-resistant fabrics commonly used in uniforms, backpacks, shoes and outdoor gear. It is also in a variety of household chemicals and substances. Many North America-based companies have already heeded the EPA’s stance and are phasing PFAS out of their manufacturing process.

It is essential to note, however, that the EPA’s regulations and recommendations, as well as agreements among manufacturers, are only valid within the USA. Items purchased from large online retailers may be made outside the USA and thus still contain PFAS. This is an issue that will have to be brought to the attention of consumers, who often tend to use online retail platforms if they can buy items less expensively that way.

Synthetic Turf: As of January 1, 2024, synthetic turf manufacturers in the United States have committed to having synthetic turf be 100 percent free of PFAS. Previously, some manufacturers did use PFAS as an extrusion agent in synthetic turf; however, the PFAS used was not identified as “a PFAS of concern.” In fact, more PFAS of concern may be found in natural soil.

EPA Releases New Rules Regarding Air Pollution from Manufacturing Plants

On the same day the EPA released its rulings regarding PFAS in drinking water, it announced a rule governing air pollution coming from 200 manufacturing facilities across the country. According to the EPA, the new standards for petrochemical plants, once implemented, will cut enough cancer-causing emissions to reduce cancer risk by 96% for people living near these industries.

Of particular concern to the EPA were the potent air toxics ethylene oxide (EtO) and chloroprene.

Full information is available from the EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/hazardous-air-pollutants-ethylene-oxide/ final-rule-strengthen-standards-synthetic-organic-chemical. ★

FEATURED ARTICLES

Researcher Seeking Input from Sports Field Professionals to Help Solve Mystery of Gehrig’s ALS

Mary Helen Sprecher

by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

85 years ago, Lou Gehrig stood on home plate at Yankee Stadium and declared himself “the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

The words that outlived Gehrig still haunt Elijah Stommel, M.D., Ph.D, a neurologist who specializes in caring for patients with the same disease Gehrig had, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Stommel is interested in learning how Gehrig developed ALS, and he’s looking at a possible culprit: the ground beneath Gehrig’s feet. In particular, he is interested in information regarding the types of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers or any other additives used on the turf between 1923 and 1939.

And Stommel is hoping those who build sports fields might have some insights.

Stommel is learning from today’s patients, and, in part, applying that knowledge to the past. His research lab, located at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, focuses on understanding the potential causes of ALS. Unfortunately, the genetic and environmental causes of ALS remain largely a mystery with most cases considered sporadic.

Over the years, some suggestions have been made. In 2018, for instance, a research paper found in the National Library of Medicine put forth the idea that, because there had been clusters of patients who were former rugby, soccer and football patients, these athletes could have been exposed to microorganisms in the dirt, grass and dust of the playing fields. In particular, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) was being studied. MAP is found in the manure of species known as ruminants; these include cattle, sheep, goats and deer (among others).

In 2022 a Harvard Health Study noted that between 1960 and 2019, 38 men who played in the NFL were diagnosed with ALS and 28 died of the disease. This is nearly four times higher than that of men in the general population, and men were diagnosed at a significantly younger age. Additionally, NFL players who developed ALS were those whose football career had been longer than average (seven years), as opposed to those without the disease (4-1/2 years).

Photo

FEATURED ARTICLES

The Harvard researchers also noted that additional risk factors for (note: not causes of) ALS included smoking, genetics, pesticide exposure, unusual infections (including certain bacteria or viruses) and serious bodily injury.

It’s the pesticides and other environmental factors that have become Stommel’s focus, and what he is studying closely.

It’s a tall order to find out about the grass management practices in effect at Yankee Stadium between 1923 and 1939, when Gehrig played there. Was manure used on the soil at some point? Possibly; it was certainly a popular additive in landscaping (and continues to be, today). If so, that could dovetail with the NLM hypothesis about microorganisms. Yet Gehrig was the only player diagnosed at that time, something that adds another layer of complexity to the mystery of ALS.

Stommel does not expect to find a smoking gun. This is, he notes, almost a cold case but one that interests those who want to follow the past for clues to the present.

But that makes it no less interesting. As National Geographic noted recently (in an article about an entirely different mystery), “That’s the difference between armchair CSI fans and actual forensic scientists: A scientist wants to know the right answer, even if it’s mundane. But if you think about it, it’s actually pretty exciting that nature hands us clues to what would otherwise probably remain cold cases.”

Over the past few decades, two other high-profile baseball players, Hall of Famer Jim “Catfish” Hunter, and former Boston College captain Pete Frates, were diagnosed with ALS.

Hunter died in 1999 and Frates in 2019. (Before his death, Frates championed the Ice Bucket Challenge that became a social media phenomenon and raised more than $220 million; that amount went into research and helped scientists identify 12 genes that play a critical role in ALS, discoveries which, in turn, could open the door to potential treatments and therapies.)

Dr. Stommel’s lab is looking for all kinds of leads and is encouraging those who have information to send it to NeuroResearch@hitchcock.org ★

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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.

NIT (Basketball):

NCAA announced an experimental rules change for the NIT. In each NIT game, the free-throw lane has been widened from 12 feet to 16 feet, consistent with the width used by the NBA and the International Basketball Federation, known as FIBA. ★

CAROLYN DUBOIS, ASLA

Fellow ASBA member will bring best practices to your next project.

DIVISION REPORTS

During the most recent Winter Meeting, ASBA’s membership divisions were able to meet. A synopsis of each meeting is found below.

COURTS DIVISION MEETING

Division President Todd Dettor and other Courts Division members discussed sessions for the 2024 Technical Meeting in Orlando. Topics were considered and developed, with session champions and speakers identified. Topics ranging from lighting to concrete to padel will be offered at this year’s program. The always-popular “Courts Roundtable” will also be brought back. A complete schedule of topics will be shared later this summer.

The group discussed ASBA’s presence at the RacquetX show in Miami, which included both a booth in the exhibit hall and a sponsored panel presentation on trends in racquet facility design.

During the meeting, the new ASBA Academy course was discussed. There are 19 participants enrolled in the Courts class of Academy in its inaugural year.

Call for Comments

The Tennis Courts: Construction and Maintenance Manual is under review in 2024, and expected to be completed by end of summer. Joint Editorial Board members Jeff Nichols and Fred Kolkmann highlighted some of the changes being made in this year’s revision during the division meeting.

Indoor Sports Flooring

A strong turnout of 20+ members gathered separately to discuss 2024 Technical Meeting programming, as well as additional training opportunities for the coming year for those in the indoor sports flooring part of the Courts division. There are hands-on regional workshops being planned for 2024, with applications for both synthetic and wood surfaces.

The group discussed opportunities to customize some of ASBA’s awards categories and other offerings to broaden appeal to potential members from this sector. ★

TRACK DIVISION MEETING

Following a review of the 2023 Technical Meeting sessions, Track Division participants brainstormed session ideas for the 2024 Technical Meeting. Topics attendees can expect to see in 2024 include establishing radius monuments, colored exchange zones, PT concrete, maintenance, track asphalt inspections, field event construction and new concepts in athletic facility design.

An overview of the ASBA Academy was shared; there are 19 registered participants for the Track course.

The group spent time reviewing existing position papers and plans to revise Runways in the D Zone. Track Division members are encouraged to share suggestions for new position papers with Track Division President, Jordan Fisher, CTB, at jfisher@fishertracks.com

Several members volunteered to review the online learning modules and to submit feedback on any updates that may be needed. ★

FIELDS DIVISION MEETING

During the recent meeting, led by President Kirk Grego, the Fields Division delved into various topics, with a primary focus on gearing up for the upcoming Technical Meeting in December. Session topics were outlined, resulting in the creation of seven sessions; each assigned a session champion and potential speakers. The group is now in the initial stages of developing these sessions.

During the meeting, attendees were invited to propose position paper ideas for the Fields Division. One notable suggestion was a paper on General Synthetic Turf Maintenance, considered valuable for ASBA members to share with new owners. Other proposed topics included PFAS and Compaction.

Jim Catella stepped forward to draft a paper on compaction, specifically addressing challenges faced by designers.

In other updates, John Nelson announced the imminent release of the new Fields Manual.

President Kirk Grego introduced a revamped volunteer structure, emphasizing additional opportunities for association members. Jim Catella, Certification Chair, highlighted modifications to ASBA points, offering builders more avenues to earn recertification points.

During the meeting, Kaylee Derby, ASBA Staff, provided an update on the Fields Academy Course. She discussed the course’s structure and revealed that 24 participants are enrolled in the Fields course in its inaugural year. ★

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.

MAY - Track/Fields Meetings with NCAA & Governing Bodies

ASBA’s Track and Fields Divisions, led by Jordan Fisher, Kristoff Eldridge, Ryan Auer, Kirk Grego, Mark Heinlein, Jim Catella, Megan Buczynski and Director of Education Kaylee Derby met with representatives of NCAA, NFHS, NIAAA and USAT&F in Indianapolis on May 8 in Indianapolis, IN. This annual track & field event is intended to strengthen communications between ASBA’s builder and designer members, as well as with the organizations who set the rules for our sports. It is also a time to review any rules changes being considered by those organizations.

JULY - Board Meeting & Awards Judging

The ASBA Board of Directors, awards judges and the ASBA staff will meet in San Diego, CA on July 30 and 31 for the annual summer Board meeting and awards judging.

OCTOBER - National Recreation & Parks Association

ASBA will have a presence as an exhibitor at this year’s NRPA Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA, October 8 and 9. If you’re planning to be at NRPA, stop by ASBA’s Booth to say hello. Booth info will be distributed prior to the event.

DECEMBER - ASBA Technical Meeting

ASBA’s members, leadership and staff will gather at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, FL for ASBA’s Technical Meeting and Tradeshow on December 3 through 6. Please note the new weekday pattern of this year’s meeting. Check www.sportsbuilders.org for detailed schedule information.

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

Parks & Rec Business: “When Land Is Unsuitable for Fields and Similar Amenities, it’s Perfect for Disc Golf,” March 2024

SportsField Management: “Crafting an Effective RFP for Sports Field Projects,” March 2024

Coach & Athletic Director: “Tips for Upgrading Athletic Facilities,” March 2024 ★

GET IN THE

HIGH PERFORMANCE LED SPORTS LIGHTING

HIGH PERFORMANCE LED SPORTS LIGHTING

The ZONE™ LED sports light features a sleek low profile design and high performance LEDs paired with precise silicone optics to produce superior levels of illumination, uniformity and cutoff. Available in two sizes and multiple lumen outputs for any court sport application. Optional wireless control systems available. Proudly made in America.

The ZONE™ LED sports light features a sleek low profile design and high performance LEDs paired with precise silicone optics to produce superior levels of illumination, uniformity and cutoff. Available in two sizes and multiple lumen outputs for any court sport application. Optional wireless control systems available. Proudly made in America.

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.

NRPA Study Highlights Economic Contributions of Parks

A study recently released by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) shows that local public park and recreation agencies in the United States generated more than $201 billion in economic activity and supported almost 1.1 million jobs that boosted labor income by more than $63 billion from their operations and capital spending in 2021. The report can be downloaded from the NRPA website.

NFL Study Shows Injury Rates Nearly Equal on Grass, Turf

The NFL recently made headlines when it announced that data collected by a joint

NFL/NFL Players Association committee showed no significant difference in the rate of non-contact lower-extremity injuries incurred by players on synthetic turf, as opposed to natural grass.

Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice president for communications, public affairs and policy, told ESPN the similar rates point to a “need to look at all surfaces” for ways to improve safety.

Good News for Indoor Facilities: Two Women’s Sports to Increase Usage

Two pieces of good news came down recently, and both can have a positive impact on those who build, or supply materials to, indoor facilities.

In early February, NCAA announced that women’s wrestling is expected to host its inaugural NCAA Championship event in winter of 2026.

The domino effect, of course, is that not only will colleges need more workout and competition space, but high schools, seeing more opportunities, will as well.

STUNT: At the 2024 NCAA Convention, the Division III membership elevated STUNT, a cheer-based team sport, to emerging sport status. It had already been accepted by Divisions I and II, and now continues its climb toward championship sport status. The sport is contested indoors, in gymnasiums, using safety mats.

Alliance for Accessible Golf Debuts Certificate Program for Sports Facilities

The National Alliance for Accessible Golf recently announced the launch of a free self-assessment process to guide golf facilities toward recognition by the Alliance as an Accessible Golf Facility.

The certificate will identify and recognize golf facilities around the country that have taken the necessary steps to demonstrate a commitment to increasing the participation of individuals with disabilities in the game of golf.

The self-assessment process is available through the Alliance’s website.

Could Construction Theme Parks Help the Worker Shortage?

501,000: That’s the number of workers the construction industry will need in 2024, according to a report by Associated Builders and Contractors.

And there’s no doubt the industry needs more workers. To get kids interested in the profession early, promoters are turning to an unlikely source: amusement parks with a construction theme. And yes, it’s very much what it sounds like: Kids (adults too) get the chance to operate heavy machinery and play around with the big machines previously seen only from a distance. (And of course, they do so under supervision.)

Some parks are franchised and some are independent. They have names like Dig This (Las Vegas), Dig’n Zone (Sevierville, Tennessee), DiggerLand USA (West Berlin, New Jersey), Heavy Metal Playground (Hagerstown, Maryland), DigWorld (Katy, Texas) and multiple others.

The concept got its start when a pitch (for a theme park, entitled Extreme Sandbox) was featured on the show, Shark Tank; the founder told judges that one day, while driving past a construction site, his children commented on how fun it would be to drive one of the big trucks they saw

on the site. It was an a-ha moment for the founder. Since then, construction-themed parks have appeared in Australia, England, New Zealand and other countries.

Pickleball

Presence is

Growing on Campuses

According to USA Pickleball’s website, there are at least 102 college pickleball clubs in the United States, with more expected. Schools have reported hiring sport-specific coaches, and in some cases, extending athletic scholarship offers.

College teams are also traveling to play others at tournaments where prize money awaits. All this has added up to an uptick of pickleball facilities on campuses nationwide. ★

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. ASBA reserves the right to edit all information submitted.

Abacus Sports Installations Elevate Penn State Football Weight Room Space When the Penn State football program needed weight room flooring for their training facility expansion, they turned to Abacus Sports Installations, a well-known and experienced athletic flooring provider.

Penn State University now has a state-ofthe-art weight room following their completed expansion of the Lasch Football Building in spring 2023. The Nittany Lion football team can accomplish all of their fitness goals inside the new 13,000-squarefoot space thanks to high-quality recycled rubber flooring and indoor training turf.

Recycled rubber is an excellent weight room surface due to durability, safety and environmental benefits. It also offers optimal shock absorption and injury prevention for athletes during intense training sessions. With a seamless transition between the rubber and training turf, Penn State athletes are given enhanced versatility and performance when it comes to their workouts.

Penn State’s upgrade of the Lasch Football Building not only supports the Nittany Lions in achieving their fitness goals, but also plays a crucial role in recruiting and retaining top talent in a competitive Big 10 Conference. ★

Act Global Celebrates 20th Anniversary Act Global, a global leader in synthetic turf solutions, marks two decades of excellence and innovation. Since 2004, Act Global has made significant strides in impacting communities worldwide, with thousands of installations in more than 90 countries, millions of gallons of water savings and the development of inclusive recreational surfaces that cater to diverse needs.

At the heart of Act Global’s mission lies a commitment to enhancing performance and safety. Act Global has earned recognition as a supplier to multiple NFL teams and is a FIFA licensee, FIH Preferred Supplier and World Rugby Preferred Turf Producer. Multiple philanthropy and sustainability award accolades from the Synthetic Turf Council further validate Act Global’s position as an industry social leader.

“We are so blessed to have been a part of such a wonderful industry that provides the most inclusive recreational surface for community use. Thank you to all our employees, partners, customers and suppliers for being part of our last twenty years!” says John Baize, President of Act Global.

promotions of Kelvin Huang, Stephen Crisafulli and Benjamin Gleason.

Kelvin has been promoted to Project Manager. As a Project Manager, Kelvin will continue to provide best-in-class client service, to supervise project development on a daily basis and will be the primary point of contact for the projects he manages. Kelvin has contributed greatly in his role as landscape designer for Town of Scituate, Dexter Southfield School and Bryant University.

Stephen has been promoted to Associate. Directly hired as a graduate from University of Rhode Island, Steve joined Activitas in 2016 and is a Registered Landscape Architect in Maine, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Stephen has been the Project Manager for a variety of projects, including Town of Reading, Westbrook High School and Dartmouth College.

As Act Global commemorates 20 years of progress, it reaffirms its commitment to creating solutions that address the challenges of today while paving the way for a sustainable future. ★

Activitas Announces Three Promotions

Activitas, Inc. is pleased to announce the

Benjamin has been promoted to Senior Associate. Ben is a registered Landscape Architect in Massachusetts and Maine. In Ben’s 11 years at Activitas, he has led many projects, including Town of Weymouth, University of Maine, Orono, and Greenwich Country Day School. He is a member of the American Society Landscape Architects, the American Sports Builders Association, the Boston Society of Landscape Architects and the Rhode Island Chapter of the ASLA. ★

ASB GlassFloor Wows Fans at NBA All-Star

At the NBA All-Star 2024, the digital court from ASB GlassFloor made its debut. This groundbreaking technology, poised to revolutionize indoor sports, set an unprecedented stage at these events, captivating

35,000 spectators at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The NBA introduced the full video court for All-Star 2024 events taking place at Lucas Oil Stadium, which included the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and State Farm® All-Star Saturday Night, consisting of the Kia Skills Challenge, the STARRY® 3-Point Contest, “Stephen vs. Sabrina,” the first-ever NBA vs. WNBA 3-Point Challenge, and AT&T Slam Dunk. Fans witnessed firsthand the seamless integration of cutting-edge technology with athletic prowess, creating a vision of its future impact on sports.

Enthralled spectators watched fans competing on a digital racecourse, conquering virtual obstacles. On another occasion, a dynamic four-point line emerged on the court, fluidly adjusting during gameplay. Athletes achieving remarkable feats suddenly “burst into flames“, leaving a luminous trail on the court.

These instances barely scratch the surface of ASB GlassFloor’s potential, as the court also provided tangible benefits with displayed player statistics and real-time ghost replay tracks, promising an exciting future for sports entertainment. ★

Bakko Backboards Announces Corporate Milestones

Bakko Backboards is now the oldest known manufacturer of tennis rebound walls/backboards in the world. Bakko has been in business for 45-plus years and has been a member of ASBA for well over three decades. Bakko offers numerous options including logos, custom colors as well as custom sizes.

NOW find Bakko in numerous pickleball facilities. Please email or call for further information: info@bakko.com or 210-655-8257 ★

Brock USA Announces Turfey, a Simpler Solution for Turf Protection Turfey is a strong, lightweight chair support for use on artificial turf and natural grass. It is designed to protect the surface during events such as graduations, weddings or any event where seating is needed.

Each unit is molded in the USA from UV-resistant ABS, ensuring both environmental responsibility and premium quality. Turfey lays down fast by hand and requires no interlocking or heavy equipment to move. It is great to add to specifications as part of the project.

Key Features of Turfey Include:

• Universal Compatibility: Compatible with virtually every chair available, Turfey seamlessly integrates into any event setup.

• Durable Construction: Engineered to disperse loads of up to 350 lbs., Turfey ensures a secure seating experience without causing damage to natural or synthetic turf.

• Efficient Stacking: Turfey’s efficient stacking capabilities, complemented by a conveniently large handle, simplify transportation and storage.

• Cost-Effective: Affordable and budget friendly, Turfey offers a hassle-free alternative to event decking.

• Proudly Made in the USA: Turfey is proudly manufactured in the USA, ensuring quality and reliability. ★

to provide exceptional and consistent ball bounce and shock absorption and to provide athletes and enthusiasts with an unmatched playing experience. Covington’s dedicated team, operating from its Houston office, demonstrated remarkable skill and professionalism, delivering the project on time and within budget.

This new facility signifies a significant investment for the West Monroe locale that enriches the community’s desire to provide a sports infrastructure for its residents and visitors. ★

Ecore Athletic Elevates the Pickleball Court Experience with the Introduction of FlexCourt

Ecore has added a new product to its Ecore Athletic portfolio with the introduction of FlexCourt, a portable, high-performance indoor pickleball surface. FlexCourt features an 8mm vulcanized composition rubber base layer and is ideal for fitness clubs, gyms, convention centers and more.

Covington Delivers Maple Basketball Floor at West Monroe Sports & Events

Covington proudly announces the completion of a cutting-edge floor installation at the Louisiana-based West Monroe Sports & Events facility. The project involved the installation of a 64,500 square foot maple basketball floor, manufactured by Robbins Sports Surfaces, world renowned for its high-performance basketball floors for players of all ages.

Resting under the newly installed 1.5acre maple surface is an anchored and resilient subfloor, designed by Robbins

Designed with avid pickleball players in mind, FlexCourt consists of interlocking tiles that create a temporary or permanent pickleball court installation. Tiles are offered in two sizes: standard/regulation or mini for tighter spaces or portable play. The easy-to-install system can be set up by just four people in as little as two hours.

“As leaders in the flooring industry, we continuously strive to support active lifestyles through sustainable, cutting-edge advancements that enhance both performance and environmental responsibility,” said Bo Barber, Ecore’s Chief Growth and Innovations Officer.

FlexCourt is engineered for heavy foot traction and remarkable speed with a high ball rebound rating for consistent,

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Photo courtesy of NBA

high-quality play. It has a force restitution of 17 percent and an energy restitution of 80 percent, which helps minimize body stress, provides optimal comfort for serious and recreational athletes alike and promotes safety and ergonomic benefits while allowing for longer play time. ★

The LandTek Group Announces Commencement of Nassau County International Cricket Stadium Construction The LandTek Group Inc. has commenced construction of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. This venue will host the T20 World Cup in the United States this June and marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to fostering the growth of cricket and providing world-class facilities.

Har-Tru Now the Official Court Surface and Paint Partner of Tennis Canada

A leading provider of premium tennis court surfaces, equipment and accessories, Har-Tru is the new official court surface and paint partner of Tennis Canada and the National Bank Open (NBO) presented by Rogers. In addition to the NBO, the IGA Stadium and Sobeys Stadium are home to the next generation of elite Canadian tennis players training at the National Tennis Centre presented by Rogers and Toronto Regional Training Centre, respectively.

This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity for Har-Tru to extend its presence and share its mission of providing places to play with the Canadian tennis community. Har-Tru is deeply committed to supporting the growth of tennis in Canada and is honored to be part of such a prestigious event.

In addition to this groundbreaking partnership, Har-Tru is excited to unveil its latest innovation: the Pickle Flex Pro, a cutting-edge indoor pickleball surface. Designed with portability, comfort and high performance in mind, the Pickle Flex Pro offers players a game-ready playing surface that sets up quickly and effortlessly. Made with interlocking tiles coated in vibrant Har-Tru Sports Coatings, this versatile surface is suitable for temporary or permanent installation in a wide range of locations, providing pickleball enthusiasts with unparalleled convenience and quality. ★

As part of its comprehensive construction plan, The LandTek Group has executed tasks, including installation of fencing to secure the site and laying the groundwork for subsequent construction phases and installation of drainage systems. Laser grading to prepare the subgrade for construction of the pitch has begun.

The process of procuring, assembling and growing the portable pitches is in full stride at LTG Sports Turf One, LandTek’s Florida-based division. Adelaide Oval’s Head Curator Damian Hough is part of the LandTek team assisting in pitch preparation.

The stadium will bring 34,000 fans from across the globe to Long Island on June for the T20 World Cup. The much-anticipated face-off between rivals Pakistan and India will be held on June 9.

“We are incredibly excited to embark on this journey of building a temporary cricket stadium that will set new standards in the world of sports infrastructure,” said Steve Kuzmiskas, Senior Project Manager. ★

tion, installation of the acrylic surface and striping, court accessories and goal systems.

This community can now enjoy a facility that provides multiple premium sports options. Contact the company to learn more about this project and how it can be a complete turnkey resource to help realize the facilities being envisioned, just as this one has. ★

Sportsfield Specialties PaDelhi™ Padel Court Systems Shine in RSI Spotlight

In the fast-paced world of racquet sports, innovation isn’t just about the players or the equipment, but also about the infrastructure supporting the game. Sportsfield Specialties, a leading provider of sports construction equipment, is making waves in the industry with its USA-made PaDelhi™ Padel Court Systems. Recently, Racquet Sports Industry Magazine highlighted Sportsfield Specialties groundbreaking contributions, shining a spotlight on its role in revolutionizing the game of padel.

David Moxley, the Director of Sports Construction Sales, and Shevket Tash, the lead design engineer, were interviewed regarding their involvement in developing and marketing PaDelhi™ Padel Court Systems. Tash expressed his excitement about being part of such a challenging project. Moxley highlighted the untapped market potential for padel in North America, emphasizing the limitless opportunities available.

Quality Court Announces Completion of Project for Calcasieu Parish Community Center

Quality Court Industries, LLC (QCI) has built new outdoor basketball, tennis and pickleball courts for the Calcasieu Parish Community Center in Vinton, Louisiana.

QCI provided extensive turnkey service, including the post tension slabs construc-

In the RSI feature, Sportsfield Specialties was praised for its groundbreaking approach to court design and construction. As the racquet sports industry continues to evolve, Sportsfield Specialties remains at the forefront of innovation, continuing to set the standard for excellence in sports construction. By revolutionizing the way padel court systems are designed and built, Sportsfield Specialties is elevating the playing experience and inspiring a new generation of athletes and enthusiasts. ★

STOCKMEIER Urethanes USA Makes It

Official: Painter is on Track to Retirement With mixed emotions, STOCKMEIER Urethanes USA announces the retirement of esteemed colleague, Dave Painter, Account Manager Americas, Sports & Leisure Surfacing.

Dave’s 14-year journey with the company has been remarkable, marked by dedication, professionalism and passion. From a conversation at the 2009 ASBA Technical Meeting with Christian Martinkat, to this day, Dave has been an invaluable asset, shaping STOCKMEIER’s success with expertise, leadership and integrity in the sports and leisure industry.

Beyond his myriad of professional achievements, Dave’s kindness and willingness to help others have made him a beloved colleague and friend. Heartfelt gratitude is extended for his service and dedication. Congratulations to Dave on his wellearned retirement!

The entire company extends its warmest wishes as he embarks on his new chapter, ready to enjoy time with his family, tend to his farm and explore new destinations through travel. Dave’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire others for years to come. ★

development will be invaluable as we continue to create and install game-changing sports turf products across the country.”

Olinger was most recently Senior Vice President of Sales for Tarkett Sports. He has held a number of executive management roles in the sports and consumer industries, including at Srixon Sports, Dunlop Maxfli Sports Corporation and Johnson & Johnson.

“I could not be happier about joining TenCate, the clear leader for innovation and sustainability in the synthetic turf industry,” Olinger said. “I look forward to lending my experience and skills to helping TenCate continue to expand the reach of its world-class product portfolio and its mission of creating healthier, more beautiful communities.” ★

and academic senate, which I have been on for the past 10 years, moved to make our students of color a priority. Since the track and field is the most successful program for students of color in the Riverside Community College District, and since we have had incredible success transferring athletes to universities and winning state championships, we were able to convince the college to fund the project to get a brand-new Mondo track.” ★

Marty Olinger Joins TenCate Americas as President of Sports Division TenCate, a leading manufacturer, distributor and installer of synthetic turf for sports and landscape applications, is very pleased to announce Marty Olinger is joining the company today in the role of President, Sports Division for its Americas operations.

“We are extremely excited to add someone with Marty’s synthetic turf experience to our team,” said Charles Dawson, CEO, Sports Division for TenCate Americas. “His proven track record of sales and brand

W2W Sport Announces Track Project at Riverside Community College Track is not just about the successes that can be seen in practice or competition. It is also about successes off the track. As much as this sport transcends race and culture, it also helps give communities opportunity where there might not be any.

The sport gives young athletes a chance to succeed on the track and in life itself, and with the guidance of good coaches like Jim McCarron, head coach of track at Riverside Community College, everyone is better off. W2W Sport is proud to have been able to work with McCarron and Riverside on a recent project.

“Regarding us being able to get a track, is that it is difficult to get funding for most community college athletics programs,” said McCarron. “We were able to get a new facility by working closely with our administration and working through the college strategic planning structure. During COVID, our college administration

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.

ASBA MEMBERS

New Members & Certified Builders

NEW MEMBERS

Builder

• 365 Custom Courts

• Alyson Construction Corporation

• CBA Sports

• Exterior Services SWV, Inc. / ESI Sports Group

• Green Valley Group, Inc.

• Hera Sports Surfaces

• Horticultural Services, LLC dba Northeast Sportsfield & Rec

• Innovative Sport Surfacing

• Johnson & Sampson

NEW CERTIFIED BUILDERS

Construction Inc. dba J&S Asphalt

• Just Courts Construction

• KMI Sports Construction, LLC

• Pickleball Court Creations

• QikTurf, LLC

• SportProsUSA Inc

• Sport Infrastructure Services Inc

• TGS Sports, LLC.

Professional

• ADC Engineering

Provisional

• Obsidian Asphalt Paving

• Sunshine Courts

• Ultimate Tennis & Pickleball

Supplier

• JUTA a.s.

• Sika Corporation

• Zoche, LLC

• Dustin Boudreau, CFB-S, CTB | Bryne & Jones Sports Construction

• Alex Martinez, CFB-S | Hellas Construction, Inc

• Andrew Sears, CFB | American Civil Constructors