The latest news from ASBA members.

Charwick Joins Activitas

Activitas is pleased to announce that Jonathan Charwick has joined our team as a Senior Project Manager. Jonathan is a landscape architect with 8-years of experience working on award winning athletic facilities throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic. 

1980 U.S. Olympian & World Record Holder Don Paige Joins CHA Sports Design Team

CHA Sports announced today that Don Paige has joined the organization’s sports facility planning and design practice.

“We are pleased to welcome Don to CHA,” said Ray Rudolph, CHA’s Chief Executive Officer. “His experience, combined with his extensive knowledge of premier track and field venues around the world, gives him a unique and valuable perspective that creates enormous value for our sports facility clients.”

Don Paige commented, “With the expertise and resources of CHA Sports, this opportunity will allow our track and field facility business to grow exponentially.”

Ranked among the world’s best middle distance runners in the late 1970s and early1980s, Paige was ranked #1 in the world in 1980 at 800 meters. He was also the American record holder at 1,000 meters and world record holder at 1,000 yards. His best time for the mile was 3:54. He is a graduate of Villanova University where he was a six-time NCAA Champion in the middle-distances.

Since 1985 he has helped plan and develop more than 300 track and field facilities across the U.S., many of which have hosted U.S. Olympic trials, NCAA Championships, invitations, and conference championships. Of those 300 T&F facilities, Paige Design Group teamed up with CHA Sports on more than 60 of those since 1998.

CHA Sports provides a wide range of sports facility design services for public and private clients nationally and internationally. Offering architecture/engineering, construction management, design/build, and planning services, CHA Sports has developed indoor and outdoor venues for hundreds of colleges, universities, schools and public clients. Notable among the rapidly growing resume of the firm’s projects are work underway on: the renovation for the Houston Gym at Buffalo State; the new Williams College Weston Field Renovation; and, and a turf field and parking structure for Boston University.

In the past year, CHA Sports has expanded its services to include sports architecture. The firm recently acquired Concord Architects of Boston, MA, a nationally-prominent sports architecture firm.

CoverSports FieldSaver^® Covers Enlisted to Get Phillies Turf Ready for 2012 Opening Day

Citizens Bank Park, home of the perennial National League Eastern Division Champion Philadelphia Phillies has selected CoverSports to provide approximately 105,000 sq. ft. of its FieldSaver turf blankets/growth covers for every grass area of the entire field.

As the site of the National Hockey League’s 2012 Winter Classic pitting the NY Rangers against the Philadelphia Flyers, “The Bank’s” field has been converted into an outdoor ice skating rink necessitating the installation of all new grass following the game. The FieldSaver blankets/covers are scheduled to be installed by February 1, which will provide the Phillies’ grounds crew enough time to complete the field’s preparation for 2012 Opening Day in April.

CoverSports custom-made the FieldSaver products for “The Bank” to fit the unusual size requirements of the field areas and provided the 105,000 sq. ft. fabric in 7 sections allowing for easier installation and removal.

FieldSaver blankets/covers are made of high-strength, long-lasting, 100% woven polypropylene fabric. All covers are made with reinforced hems and grommets at 5’ intervals on all sides. Standard sod staples or heavy-duty stakes in each grommet ensure that the cover will stay in place. The dual purpose cover will result in greener, thicker grass. As a turf blanket, it will provide turf protection from the harsh winter conditions. As a growth cover, it will promote faster growth and green-up by warming the soil and air temperature, and allowing natural light to pass through.

For more information about the entire FieldSaver products line and CoverSports’ 2012 catalog detailing its complete range of athletic coverings and fabrics, please call Shana Brenner at 800-445-6680, visit our website www.coversports.com, or email us at sales@coversports.com.
 

Actual photo – not retouched. Taken at Unionville High School in Kennett Square, PA, March 16, 2009. Covers in place late November 2008.

DecoTurf Selected for WTT Smash Hits

The annual World TeamTennis Smash Hits, a charity event co-hosted by Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King will once again sport the colorful look and competitive feel of DecoTurf’s DecoColor tennis surface. The play will take place on October 27 at the Cleveland Public Hall.

DecoTurf is the Official Court Surface of World TeamTennis (WTT). The unique, WTT multicolored court design is a calico pattern that features a patchwork of colors including blue, green, brown and maroon. “DecoTurf is proud to be the Official Court Surface of World TeamTennis. The stylish surface we have created for WTT is an exciting combination of vibrant colors, and the most consistent tennis surface in the industry.” said John Graham, DecoTurf’s Managing Director.

DecoTurf has been the Surface of the US Open for 34 years and is the most recognized tennis court surface in the world. DecoTurf's multi-layer cushioned tennis surface has been selected for use at the world's most prestigious events including the two most-recent Olympic Games, Davis Cup, Fed Cup, and at many of the finest facilities around the world. DecoTurf tennis surfaces have been classified by the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) Court Pace Rating system. DecoTurf has authorized applicators around the globe that are trained to install the surface that is known for its consistent speed of play, true ball bounce, durability, low maintenance, vibrant long lasting colors, and overall customer value.

For more information on DecoTurf visit www.decoturf.com or call 800-332-6178.

DecoTurf Tennis Surface Selected for Shanghai Rolex Masters

The Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 has chosen DecoTurf’s DecoColor tennis surface again in 2011. This elite ATP Masters 1000 tournament will be played at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. The play is scheduled to take place from October 9th to the 16th.

"DecoTurf is pleased and honored to be the preferred court surface for this outstanding event" said John Graham, DecoTurf's Managing Director. “We are grateful to be teamed with Howell Sports LTD of Shanghai, the outstanding contractor who installed the DecoColor tennis surface.”

Pro DecoTurf has been the Surface of the US Open for 34 years and is the most recognized tennis court surface in the world. DecoTurf's multi-layer cushioned tennis surface has been selected for use at the world's most prestigious events including the two most-recent Olympic Games, Davis Cup, Fed Cup, and at many of the finest facilities around the world. DecoTurf tennis surfaces have been classified by the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) Court Pace Rating system. DecoTurf has authorized applicators around the globe that are trained to install the surface that is known for its consistent speed of play, true ball bounce, durability, low maintenance, vibrant long lasting colors, and overall customer value.

For more information on DecoTurf visit www.decoturf.com or call 800-332-6178.

DecoTurf Launches New Website in 2012

DecoTurf, the Cushioned Tennis Surface of Champions, is pleased to announce the launch of a new company website in 2012.

The new website features DecoTurf’s wide range of product options and installation venues. The website includes tennis, basketball, multisport and decorative project galleries. These galleries highlight DecoTurf’s products in use and showcase specific product, color and authorized applicator information. These galleries are designed for all visitors to see the versatility, quality and color vibrancy of DecoTurf’s core products: DecoTurf, DecoColor, Street Ice and Acrylotex.

With an updated court colorizer, logical product organization and customer testimonials, the new website offers tools for all visitors to find the information they require when considering the installation of DecoTurf sport surfaces.

About DecoTurf

DecoTurf has been the Surface of the US Open for 34 years and is the most recognized tennis court surface in the world. DecoTurf's multi-layer cushioned tennis surface has been selected for use at the world's most prestigious events including the two most-recent Olympic Games, Davis Cup, Fed Cup, and at many of the finest facilities around the world. DecoTurf tennis surfaces have been classified by the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) Court Pace Rating system. DecoTurf has authorized applicators around the globe that are trained to install the surface that is known for its consistent speed of play, true ball bounce, durability, low maintenance, vibrant long lasting colors, and overall customer value.

For more information on DecoTurf visit www.decoturf.com or call 800-332-6178. 

LONDON 2012 Summer Olympic installations tested by LABOSPORT

After Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008, LABOSPORT has been awarded the contract to test the race track of the 2012 summer Olympic Games in London.

Another Olympic venue for LABOSPORT

In November, Labosport successfully certified FIFA2* the new soccer field at BC Place in Vancouver Canada where Winter Olympic Games inaugural ceremonies took place in 2010.

Baseball fields technical characteristics finally quantified

Labosport has tested several natural grass baseball fields in Texas. The study was aimed at quantifying shock absorption, ball rebound and other characteristics in order evaluate reference values on “good” baseball fields which could become “targets” to be reached on synthetic fields.


LSI Industries Provides New LED Video Displays for U.S. Bank Arena

LSI Industries Inc. is proud to be partnering with U.S. Bank Arena, in Cincinnati, OH, to update the primary video displays as well as provide LED digital signage for the end zone areas. “We are thrilled to team with an industry leader such as LSI Industries,” said U.S. Bank Arena General Manager Kristin Ropp. “To have someone in our back yard with this breadth of experience, knowledge of our industry and state of the art technology is a true asset to this organization. We pride ourselves in offering an outstanding event experience and LSI's work will only enhance this experience.”

Built upon LSI's SMARTVISION® LED technology, the 10mm video displays will deliver crisp, clear broadcasts, replays, and interactive assets to audiences in the 17,500-seat arena throughout the year. The arena will also be controlled by LSI's IMPACT Venue Management System which allows for the dynamic control of all displays throughout the venue including their concession screens. The system allows for a single user interface to control all displays simultaneously with one click of a button. 

LSI Court Lighting Installations Recognized by ASBA

LSI Industries Inc. is pleased to announce that seven facilities with court lighting provided by LSI Courtsider Sports Lighting have been honored by the American Sports Builders Association. ASBA, the national organization for designers, builders and suppliers of materials for athletic facilities, presents awards each year to newly built and renovated facilities. Projects are scored by a panel of ASBA members and winners’ cumulative scores meet or exceed ASBA standards.

The Winning Venues – Six out of the seven awards were for New Construction; The Tennis Center at Fish Hawk Ranch, The Tennis Center at the Quarry Beach Club, Schmidt Residential Indoor Court, Cohen Residence, Colorado State University Tennis Facility and Roberts Residence. One venue, Dr. Bourne Residence in Salt Lake City, UT was an upgrade.

“We are very proud to be recognized for the multiple project awards.” said LSI Vice President, Bruce Frasure. “We also would like to extend our congratulations to our contractor customers who were responsible for building these outstanding facilities.”

RiteWay Partners with Signature Tennis Courts

RiteWay has joined forces with Signature Tennis Courts of Woodstock, Georgia to assist in a national initiative driven by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). This year 3000 tennis courts across the U.S. were refurbished or newly constructed. This project, also referred to as Court 3k, completed its 3000th tennis court on November 30 at Grove Park in Atlanta, Georgia. RiteWay offers a signature court crack repair system that stands in a league of its own. The RiteWay Crack Repair System is a patented system that uses a micro sealant technology to repair existing court cracks. Signature Tennis Courts uses the RiteWay Crack Repair System and applied this system on several courts in Grove Park. “This is a great initiative that the USTA implemented and completed in 2011,” said Carvin Pallenberg, President of RiteWay. “We are pleased that our crack repair system was used by Signature Tennis in rounding out this program in Grove Park.” “The RiteWay system was definitely the choice for renovating courts in Grove Park,” said Mike Imbornone, President of Signature Tennis. “From a contractor’s perspective it is the most complete system available, and from a playability standpoint RiteWay is by far the best.” Traditional tennis court crack repair methods can leave unsightly patches that ultimately don’t last. Tennis court cracks expand and contract with changes in temperature, freezing and thawing, and with general usage. The RiteWay system insures a long-lasting, durable and seamless repair. RiteWay is a layered system that becomes an integral part of the tennis court and results in an invisible repair which is not affected by weather or temperature. The RiteWay system not only keeps cracks from coming back, but it

eliminates dead spots, hollow sounds and bubbling - all common with other repair systems.

In addition to tennis courts, the RiteWay system is also used on other surfaces including basketball courts, volleyball courts, handball, pickle ball and inline hockey.

The 2011 Court 3k program in total upgraded 502 facilities in 283 markets representing 45 states. The tennis courts were built in public parks, school yards, tennis facilities and at local community-based youth organizations, like the Boys and Girls Clubs.

Court 3k falls on the heels of the USTA joining First Lady Michelle Obama’s "Let’s Move!" initiative to encourage young people across the country to get active, play tennis and lead healthy lifestyles.

Signature Fencing & Flooring Systems Changes Name

Signature Fencing & Flooring Systems, LLC announced today that it has formally changed its company name to Signature Systems Group, LLC. The goal of the name change is to better represent the company’s broader range of product and service offerings.

“Our new company name reflects the continued growth of Signature and the various products and markets we sell into,” said Arnon Rosan, president and CEO of Signature Systems Group, LLC. “This better represents the size and scale of our business and the diversity of markets and products we sell. We are excited that our business has continued to grow and expand in such a challenging economic environment, and this name change is a testament to the company we have become and the people that have made this possible,” continued Mr. Rosan.

Signature Systems Group, LLC is the world’s largest manufacturer of portable fencing and flooring systems for special events and facilities, venues, schools, municipalities, military operations, drilling and construction companies, and emergency-relief agencies. Based in New York City, Signature continues to expand its offerings with permanent flooring for sports facilities, portable and permanent dance floors, and a unique line of designer vinyl tiles. Signature’s products are available worldwide directly and through a network of dealers, distributors and agents.

To see the complete line of Signature products, please go to Signature’s websites: www.eventdeck.com and www.signaturefencing.com.
 

Sullivan Joins Verde Design

Verde Design, Inc. is pleased to announce that Chris Sullivan, RLA, has joined our firm as a Project Manager. Chris has 17 years of landscape architecture experience, focusing on outdoor athletic facilities and campus landscape design for clients in K-12 public and private schools, higher education, and public agencies. Chris also serves on the American Sports Builder Association (ASBA) Board of Directors and is a member of the Field Committee.