-------------------------------------
 
Savannah and the Technical Meeting in Savannah were
an immense success. The attendance was a record breaker—the first
time we have ever exceeded 400 participants!
George Todd and I would like to personally thank our sponsors, speakers,
session leaders, volunteers, and of course our staff for making this
a Technical Meeting to remember. Of course, I want to thank each and
every one of you who were in attendance; as it simply wouldn’t
have happened without all of us individually.
As the incoming Chair, I want to personally thank everyone for their
vote
of confidence. We will continue collectively to progress and promote
this organization toward the future.
As I am sure everyone is aware, the last Chair position
under George Todd had the additional task of incorporating a new management
company into our organization. I want to issue again a special thanks to
George Todd and King Stringfellow Group (specifically Fred Stringfellow
and Cynthia Jordan) for their extraordinary efforts in not only providing
a smooth transition but setting a pace and a place for everyone to advance
themselves as well as the organization.
The certification process has just experienced its first major leap in credibility
in Savannah with 8 people taking the Certified Track Builders exam, 7 people
taking the new Certified Field Builders exam and three people taking the Certified
Tennis Court Builder exam. This is certainly exciting; as the more people that
are certified as builders, the more credibility the program and certification
itself has in the industry. Congratulations to all of those taking the exam and
especially the hard work of those putting the last exam together for the Fields,
specifically Dan Wright and John Schedler.
I think we were all pleased to see the large and prestigious display of awards.
There is room for many more and I encourage everyone this spring to look over
their projects from last year and submit any and all worthy of an industry award.
I can’t think of a better acknowledgement and validation of your company
than taking a plaque back to an owner recognizing their facility as an award
winner from ASBA.
Tired of the freezing cold, the brutal winds, driving snow, and more importantly
shoveling that white stuff? Does sunshine, blue skies and white sand (in lieu
of white snow) sound enticing? Our Winter Meeting this year is in Cancun at the
Westin Resort and Spa on February 19 – 21, 2010. It is a guilt-free trip,
of course! We will work hard Saturday morning and Sunday morning and the rest
of the time we will play hard.
The Winter Meeting affords everyone the opportunity to continue the momentum
from this past Technical Meeting. This is where the work of the Association is
done; the work necessary to accomplish our goals. This a great place to reward
yourself as well as your employees. In fact, it is a great place to reward the “better
half”.
I look forward to seeing everyone in Cancun!! Be sure to bring your passport.
Sam
Fisher, CTB
ASBA Chairman
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MEETINGS
Cancun
to Host ASBA Winter Meeting
 It is possible to get away from it all, AND stay in touch with the industry.
Just mark your calendar now to note that you'll be attending ASBA's
Winter Meeting from February 19-22, 2010 at the Westin Resort & Spa
in Cancun, Mexico. (Oh, and fill out that passport application if you
haven't already).
The meeting allows attendees to devote intensive time to priority projects
of the association, including its publications, certification programs
and more. The Board is able to meet, and divisions are able to work
on specialized projects. The program includes sessions geared specifically
toward tennis, track, indoor and fields division members in various categories:
- Review/evaluation of position papers (tennis, track, indoor)
- Review/evaluation of Construction Guidelines
- Development of topics for 2010 Technical Meeting
- Appropriate ASTM standards for categories of indoor flooring
- Review and development of new fields awards application/criteria
- Review of court planarity test results
- 2010 Technical Meeting topics development
- CTCB, CTB exam preparation/discussion
- Indoor book/review
- Maintenance procedures for indoor facilities as recommended by manufacturers
- Fields Division planning: Where do we go from here?
- Green Awards to be presented by Professionals Division.
Yes, it's an intensive program. But the axiom of
'work hard, play hard' seemed to have been coined with this meeting
in mind. In addition to the great opportunities to advance the association
(and to make some great new contacts and renew your most valuable friendships),
you’ll
be able to participate in activities including the tennis, fishing and
golf tournaments, as well as all the sightseeing, touring and fun you
can handle. You won't want to miss the chance to take in the beautiful
beachfront views, the spa and all the amenities you could ask for.
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Technical
Meeting a Success
In December, the sports facility design and construction
industry flew south for the winter. A record 410 attendees helped
ASBA proclaim the 2009 Technical Meeting a resounding success.
All right, so Savannah wasn't south for everyone. But for those in the grip of
winter - and those who were wrapping up a busy season no matter where they were
- the ASBA's Technical Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Savannah was a welcome respite.
The meeting kicked off with keynote speaker Edwin T. Burton, economics professor
at the University of Virginia. Burton's session was entitled "Is the recession
over? Which way now for the economy, for interest rates, for inflation? An update
on the state of the economy and its prospects in 2010 and 2011." The seminar,
which packed more than 90 years worth of American (and often global) economics
into 90 minutes, was well-received by those who had been waiting for some word
on the seemingly capricious, disheartening and unpredictable financial future.
A program of concurrent sessions followed, including those geared specifically
for tennis, track, fields and indoor interests. A general track dealt with business
themes, including marketing, media relations, succession planning, eco-friendly
design and construction (see
the related article) and other topics. Division meetings were held for tennis,
track, suppliers, professionals and indoor members, to discuss issues such as
certification, publications and more.
A notable 'first' took place during the meeting as well. The inaugural field
builders certification exam was given, and certificates for those who passed
were presented at the closing banquet. (Those who want to take the exam now should
check the ASBA web site, www.sportsbuilders.org,
for details). Those who were already certified (CTCBs and CTBs) could attend
special breakfasts held in conjunction with the Technical Meeting , and could
connect with others like themselves, and work to improve their certification
programs.
Between and after sessions, attendees could relax and spend time in the exhibit
hall, where they had the opportunity to peruse new products, learn about the
latest technologies and catch up with colleagues and even competitors.
And did someone mention competitors? Two of the most eagerly anticipated events
included the golf tournament (held at the Savannah Quarters Country Club and
overseen by Tom Hinding of Hinding Tennis, Inc. and John Welborn of Lee Tennis)
and the tennis tournament (held at Daffin Park Tennis Center and chaired by Tom
DeRosa of DeRosa Tennis Contractors). In general, while such events are a showcase
of sometimes mind-blowing talent, they also become a venue to establish bragging
rights, in which who won't lose is more important than who actually wins.
 The champions of this year’s tennis tournament (“A” Finals),
in First place were: Paul Van Der Sommen and John Hanna; and in Second
place were Kevin Tee and Pat Hanssen. “B” Finals champions,
in First place were Randy Futty and Tracy Lynch; and in Second place
were Tom DeRosa and Rick Doherty.
Golf honors went to Chris Chisam (longest drive, men); Sarah Moorehead (longest
drive, women); Matt Savage (low gross individual); and Ben Rennolds (low net
individual). The top team (low net) included Jesse Bush, Brian Douglas, John
Coll and Chris Bryant. The top team (low gross) included Mark Brogan, John Schedler,
Rob Werner and Megan Taylor.
ASBA also honored the best projects of the year with its annual awards
of excellence. (See
the related article for a list of winners). Receiving extra honors
were Racquet Sports Industry Magazine's Tennis Court Contractor of the
Year, Thomas DeRosa, and its Sales Rep of the Year, Tracy Lynch of Lee
Tennis.
A special honor was accorded to the surviving founders of ASBA, who were presented
with the Industry Merit Award, the association's most prestigious award. Sheldon
Westervelt, who was present at the meeting, accepted on behalf of himself and
his fellows, and in his acceptance speech, recalled the early days of the association,
and encouraged those in attendance to continue to strive for high ideals in all
they do, and to keep the spirit of the association alive in their day to day
business.
For those who missed this meeting, or even for those who made it, but simply
didn't get around to all the sessions, many of the PowerPoint presentations are
available on the association's web site, www.sportsbuilders.org.
Already looking forward to the next meeting? The 2010 Technical Meeting will
be held at the Marriott Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida from December
5-7. Members will receive information about this meeting automatically. Others
should keep checking the website, www.sportsbuilders.org, for
more information, or can call Cynthia at ASBA at 866-501-ASBA to be added to
the mailing list.
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Green
Topics Get More Play with Sports Builders
Green facilities — how to build them, how to maintain
them, how to make old facilities more environmentally friendly
— got a lot of attention at the 2009 Technical Meeting. In fact,
there weren't many sessions that didn't touch on the topic somehow.
The theme was touched upon as early as the first concurrent session
on "Benefits
of Synthetic Turf Irrigation," in which Richard Yates, ASLA (Jeffrey
L. Bruce & Co., LLC) discussed the need to avoid the environmentally unfriendly
'heat island' effect that an unwatered turf field could have, and its detrimental
impact on the public health, safety and welfare.
While much of his talk centered on maintenance and upkeep of synthetic turf,
Yates dispelled myths about the surface — both those put forth by synthetic
turf aficionados, and by natural grass fans. He also worked to help managers
and builders understand the need to keep turf cool, clean and safe so that users
got the most enjoyment and the best experience — and so that the environment
benefitted as well.
In the second concurrent session, "LEED and the New Environment," a
presentation held for the Indoor track, William Thornton of FieldTurf Tarkett
discussed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, an internationally
recognized green building certification system), the requirements for LEED-certified
buildings, and the way this could dovetail into sports facility construction
and renovation.
LEED certification is based upon various aspects of building:
- In terms of building reuse, points are given for maintenance of interior
nonstructural elements, such as interior walls, doors, floor coverings
and ceiling systems.
- In construction and demolition, credit is
given for recycling and salvaging nonhazardous construction and demotion
debris, and keeping it out of landfills and incinerators.
- Reuse of building materials in order to reduce the demand for new
materials and to reduce waste, thereby lessening environmental impact.
- Use of recycled content in building materials
- Use of regional materials (which supports the use of indigenous resources
and reduces the need for transportation, which results in fossil fuel
use)
- Use of rapidly renewable materials (examples given were bamboo, wool,
cotton insulation, agrifiber, cork and more). Rapidly renewable building
materials and products are those made from plants that are typically
harvested within a 10-year (or shorter) cycle.
- Use of certified wood, which encourages environmentally responsible
forest management
- Use of low-emitting materials, including adhesives and sealants,
paints and coatings, flooring systems, and composite wood and agrifiber
products (all of which is intended to improve air quality inside the
building, both during construction and afterward)
In the third concurrent session, Alex Levitsky, RA,
PP of Global Tennis & Design
Group, Inc. and Steve Pappas, CTB of Papico Construction, Inc. presented "How
to Make Facilities Greener." This session touched on four
main aspects: Design Principles, Sustainable Sites, Air and Water, Building
Materials, Energy and Administration.
Within the theme of Design Principles, Levitsky and Pappas noted that the
overriding theme should be "Less is More," meaning that there
should be no construction of greensfields, no disruption to animal habitats,
and no pollutants to air and water. However, the presenters noted, since
this is an ideal rather than reality, a 'greener approach' should be taken
among those preparing to build or rehab a sports facility.
Sustainable Sites, meanwhile, ideally, means choosing urban sites for construction
(since those are already located closest to large numbers of users) and choosing
sites accessible to mass transit ( to reduce dependency on individual vehicles),
as well as adding bicycle parking and incentive parking for economy and hybrid
vehicles. Protection and restoration of natural habitat was also key to a greener
approach, as was use of existing vegetation, conserving native habitat and maximizing
open space. White roofing (and green roofing, which is becoming increasingly
popular) also decrease the heat island effect in both urban and suburban areas.
Levitsky and Pappas also touched on water management, including various types
of pervious pavement and surfacing that allows for water drainage, as well as
ways to gather water once it has drained off.
Air and Water, the next area touched on by Levitsky and Pappas, included mechanisms
to reduce air and water pollution. Some points brought up included the use of
innovative wastewater management, reduction of potable water usage, maximizing
graywater storage, use of efficient systems for irrigation (using wastewater
to water soft tennis courts, for example, and using pale colors in surfacing
of hard courts to reduce the heat generated by the surface). Outdoor sports areas
could be kept cool with trees (particularly mature trees, which should be conserved),
shade shelters, use of native vegetation and cutting back on natural grass, which
needs to be watered more often.
Building Materials, the next aspect of the presentation, stressed use of natural
building materials, as well as those found locally, along with Environmentally
Preferable Products (EPPs). Rapidly renewable and low-emitting materials were
mentioned, just as in the LEEDS presentation. Levitsky and Pappas discussed recycling,
with attention to the various types of plastics and how often they were reused
(soda bottles were the most often recycled, but polystyrenes, such as carry-out
containers) were rarely reclaimed.
Energy, the next aspect of the presentation, included discussion of solar energy,
proper orientation of facilities with regard to sunlight, containing artificial
light and avoiding light trespass. Proper ventilation and insulation were also
mentioned, as were various forms of glass. In indoor facilities, energy-efficient
HVAC systems and lighting were cited as key to overall eco-friendliness. Other
cutting-edge technology, such as geothermal heating and wind power were seen
as key to the future.
Post-construction, the incorporation of environmentally friendly amenities was
also seen as essential to keeping a facility eco-sensitive. The trade show at
the ASBA Technical Meeting boasted a wide array of such products, with the promise
of more to come.
For information on any presentations at the Technical Meeting, check the ASBA's
web site at www.sportsbuilders.org.
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Multi-Tasking
for a New Generation
If versatility is key to getting
— and keeping — a job for an individual, it's equally important
for a sports builder. That was the message put forth by Rick Burke
of NGI Sports, Div. of River City Athletics, LLC, whose presentation, "Cross-Over
Business Opportunities/Alternative Sports Construction," was
offered as part of the program of the ASBA Technical Meeting in
Savannah, Georgia.
Burke, whose presentation was included as part of the Tennis track, discussed
multiple options for builders interested in broadening their business. All of
the areas, he noted, had growth potential, as well as the opportunity for extra
income. Among the facilities Burke discussed were:
- Bocce courts: Bocce courts come in various sizes,
and are built in indoor and outdoor facilities. It is particularly
on the uptick in retirement homes, but is also being increasingly found
in parks. Bocce is a very social game, and is popular on the club,
public and residential circuits. Burke discussed base construction,
surfacing, curbing and bumpers, as well as the various sizing of courts.
- Golf greens: Golf participation
has grown over the past 10 years, and although participation is slowed,
it is still a money-making industry. Burke discussed the construction
of backyard golf greens, as well as those for use by communities,
and on corporate settings. "Golf greens are unique in that they can be built in
a variety of applications, "Burke noted. (Courses may include
only a practice tee, or can be expanded to include a pitch-and-putt
facility). Another form of golf facility being built now is the indoor
driving range, which is popular in many areas of the country, but particularly
in regions where winter brings heavy snow that makes an afternoon on
the links out of the question.
- Croquet lawns: While many associate croquet with
a picnic, it is gaining popularity in residential developments as well
as in clubs. Once the area has been leveled and the surface installed,
the facility can be used for lawn bowling as well as other sports.
- Dog parks: One of the fastest growing urban and
suburban facilities is the dog park. While some neighborhoods may only
designate an area to be an off-leash run for dogs, others are investing
more and putting in anti-microbial turf, ground-level water fountains,
play structures and park benches (the latter being for the humans to
take advantage of, while the canines enjoy everything else). Some dog
parks include multiple fenced areas for smaller or older dogs, vs.
younger and more energetic animals. Amenities include waste bag dispensers,
trash cans and other appointments to help encourage dog owners to take
stewardship of the facilities.
- Shuffleboard facilities and game centers: Local
and state title matches are becoming more and more popular, and shuffleboard
facilities, as well as other games (large-scale chess and checkers,
for example) can be played on an indoor surface, such as one with aerobic
flooring.
- Skating facilities: Whether inline hockey, figure
or formation skating or on skate parks, facilities for inline skating,
as well as skateboarding, are gaining in popularity, particularly in
parks and residential developments, where the emphasis is on giving
youth their own recreational areas, rather than having them use parking
lots, streets, sidewalks or other potentially dangerous areas.
- Basketball courts: Baseball, football and soccer
fields are all popular, but the most popular youth sport today is played
on the basketball court. A level, hard playing surface (asphalt and
concrete being the most popular for use in outdoor installations; multi-purpose
gym flooring and wood or bamboo flooring are popular in indoor installations)
and a regulation pole, net and backboard, plus regulation markings,
are all that is required. Special coatings have been developed to give
users more traction, particularly in the key area of the court, which
sees the most play. Basketball can be played half-court or full-court,
and in outdoor areas, lighting can be added to extend the playing day.
The most important thing, Burke noted, was "to keep trying new things." Experienced
contractors know how to promote their main business, but they also know
how to adapt to a changing marketplace.
"You just need a can-do attitude," Burke concluded.
For information on any presentations at the Technical Meeting, check the ASBA's
web site at www.sportsbuilders.org.
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ASBA
Honors Distinguished Sports Facilities
 ASBA made 2009 the year to honor a record number of outstanding sports
facilities in its annual awards program. Awards are presented each year
to facilities built by ASBA members, which best exemplify construction
excellence. The awards are presented for tennis, track, indoor multi-purpose
facilities, multi-purpose turf facilities and sports fields, in various
categories.
Winners were formally notified of their honor in the fall, and presentation
of the award
plaques was made at the recent Technical Meeting, held in Savannah,
GA.
A panel of ASBA members judged entries anonymously. Projects were scored
individually based on considerations such as layout and design, site
work, drainage, base construction, surface, amenities, innovation and
overall impression. Winning entries are those whose cumulative scores
meet or exceed the standard. This year’s winning projects are as
follows:
Distinguished Tennis Facilities
RESIDENTIAL TENNIS FACILITIES
Keating Residence Tennis Court
Gladwyne, PA
New Construction: Pro-Sport Construction, Inc.
Anderson Residence Tennis Court
Beach Lake, PA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Pro-Sport Construction, Inc.
Berger Residence Tennis Court
Blue Bell, PA
New Construction: Pro-Sport Construction, Inc.
Private Residence
Jupiter, FL
New Construction: Fast-Dry Courts
Private Residence
Parkland, FL
New Construction: Fast-Dry Courts
Lenner Residence Tennis Court
Greenwich, CT
New Construction: DeRosa Tennis Contractors, Inc.
Campion Residence Tennis Court
Carlton, OR
New Construction: Atlas Track & Tennis
OUTDOOR TENNIS FACILITIES
Tennis Center at Blair Academy
Blairstown, NJ
New Construction: Sasaki Associates
Placencia Hotel
Placencia, Belize
New Construction: Ritzman Tennis Courts, Inc.
West Morris Mendham High School Tennis Court Construction
Mendham, NJ
New Construction: Halecon, Inc.
Tennis Facility at Wequassett Resort and Golf Course
Chatham, MA
New Construction: Cape & Island Tennis & Track
Tennis Facility at Penn State Abington
Abington, PA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Pro-Sport Construction, Inc.
Bennett Park Tennis Facility
Liberty, MO
New Construction: McConnell & Associates Corp.
Biszantz Family Tennis Center
Claremont, CA
New Construction: Zaino Tennis Courts, Inc.
Mountain View Tennis Center
Phoenix, AZ
Upgrade of Existing Facility: General Acrylics, Inc.
Tennis Facility at the Broadmoor
Colorado Springs, CO
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Renner Sports Surfaces
Tennis Facility at St. Andrews Country Club
Boca Raton, FL
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Fast-Dry Courts
The Field Club
Edgartown, MA
New Construction: Global Sports & Tennis Design Group, LLC
Washington State University Tennis Facility
Pullman, WA
New Construction: Global Sports & Tennis Design Group, LLC
Tennis Facility at Fordson High School
Dearborn, MI
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Foresite Design, Inc.
Pacific University Tennis Complex
Forest Grove, OR
New Construction: Atlas Track & Tennis
Jonesville Tennis Center
Gainesville, FL
New Construction: Welch Tennis Courts, Inc.
The Tennis Gardens at Longboat Key Club & Resort
Longboat Key, FL
New Construction: Welch Tennis Courts, Inc.
Fisher Island Club
Fisher Island, Miami, FL
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Welch Tennis Courts, Inc.
Championship Tennis Center at the Four Seasons Resort & Club
Irving, TX
New Construction: Mid-America Courtworks
INDOOR TENNIS FACILITIES
Cullman-Heyman Indoor Tennis Center, Yale University
New Haven, CT
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Global Sports & Tennis Design Group,
LLC
Distinguished Indoor Multi-Purpose Facilities
Genoveva Chavez Community Center
Santa Fe, NM
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Robert Cohen Co., LLC
Dilcon Community School
Winslow, AZ
New Construction: Robert Cohen Co., LLC
Distinguished Track Facilities
OUTDOOR RUNNING TRACK FACILITIES
Jefferson City High School Adkins Stadium
Jefferson City, MO
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Fisher Tracks, Inc.
University of North Florida Hodges Stadium
Jacksonville, FL
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Mondo USA
Texas Tech University Track
Lubbock, TX
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Robert Cohen Co., LLC
Running Track Facility at Colorado State University
Pueblo, CO
New Construction: Renner Sports Surfaces
The Meadows School Track
Las Vegas, NV
Upgrade of Existing Facility: General Acrylics, Inc.
Running Track Facility at Charlotte High School
Punta Gorda, FL
New Construction: American Athletic Courts, Inc.
Running Track at East Brunswick High School
East Brunswick, NJ
Upgrade of Existing Facility: American Athletic Courts, Inc.
Running Track Facility at Bernalillo High School
Bernalillo, NM
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Lone Mountain Contracting, Inc.
Colby College Track & Field
Waterville, ME
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Stantec
Running Track Facility at San Joaquin at Delta College
Stockton, CA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Beals Alliance
Natomas and Inderkum High School Track & Field
Natomas, CA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Beals Alliance
Track Facility at Fordson High School
Dearborn, MI
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Foresite Design, Inc.
INDOOR TRACK FACILITIES
Central College, Kuyper Fieldhouse
Pella, IA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Kiefer Specialty Flooring, Inc.
Distinguished Multi-Purpose Turf Facilities
Mooresville High School Stadium
Mooresville, NC
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Medallion Athletic Products, Inc.
Multi-Purpose Turf Facility at Fordson High School (Practice)
Dearborn, MI
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Foresite Design, Inc.
Multi-Purpose Turf Facility at Fordson High School (Stadium)
Dearborn, MI
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Foresite Design, Inc.
Multi-Purpose Turf Facility at Plainwell High School
Plainwell, MI
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Foresite Design, Inc.
Multi-Purpose Turf Facility at Stevensville Lakeshore High School
Stevensville, MI
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Foresite Design, Inc.
DeFazio Park
Needham, MA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Gale Associates, Inc.
Michael F. Lione Park
Stamford, CT
Upgrade of Existing Facility: DeRosa Tennis Contractors, Inc.
St. Mary's College High School Track & Field Facility
Berkeley, CA
New Construction: Verde Design, Inc.
Flint Park
Larchmont, NY
Upgrade of Existing Facility: DeRosa Tennis Contractors, Inc.
West Beach Park
Stamford, CT
Upgrade of Existing Facility: DeRosa Tennis Contractors, Inc.
Athletic Field at Westhill High School
Stamford, CT
Upgrade of Existing Facility: DeRosa Tennis Contractors, Inc.
Red Rock High School Turf Field
Sedona, AZ
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Atlas Track & Tennis
Multi-Purpose Sports Field at David Douglas High School
Portland, OR
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Atlas Track & Tennis
Belmont Hill School Synthetic Turf Field
Belmont, MA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Stantec
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Steinbrenner Stadium Roberts
Field "Fast Track"
Cambridge, MA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Stantec
Northfield Mount Hermon School - Thorndike Field & McLamore
Field
Fill, MA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Stantec
Livermore Community Park - Synthetic Turf Field
Folsom, CA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Beals Alliance
Sports Fields at San Joaquin Delta College Athletic Facilities
Stockton, CA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Beals Alliance
Multi-Purpose Turf Facility at Mather Sports Center "One
Stop Shop for Family Recreation"
Mather, CA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Beals Alliance
Distinguished Sports Fields
New Alex Box Baseball Stadium at Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA
New Construction: Jeffrey L. Bruce & Company
Football Field Stadium Project at Florida International University
Miami, FL
New Construction: Recreational Design and Construction, Inc.
Angels of Victory Field at Mount Saint Mary Academy
Watchung, NJ
New Construction: Suburban Consulting Engineers
Baseball Stadium at Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
New Construction: Gale Associates, Inc.
The Meadows School Sports Field
Las Vegas, NV
Upgrade of Existing Facility: General Acrylics, Inc.
Mountain Brook High School Stadium Field
Mountain Brook, AL
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Holcombe Norton Partners, Inc.
Homewood Soccer Park
Homewood, AL
New Construction: Holcombe Norton Partners, Inc.
Spartan Stadium at San Jose State University
San Jose, CA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Verde Design, Inc.
San Jose City College Softball Field
San Jose, CA
New Construction: Verde Design, Inc.
Boston College Soccer and Lacrosse Complex
Newton Centre, MA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Stantec
Sports Field Facility at Mud Creek Soccer Complex
Powder Springs, GA
New Construction: Sports Turf Company
Sports Field Facility at North Springs High School
Sandy Springs, GA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Sports Turf Company
Within each category, one facility was chosen from among all winning
entries to represent the best of athletic facility construction. The
winners were as follows:
TENNIS FACILITIES OF THE YEAR:
RESIDENTIAL:
Berger Residence Tennis Court
Blue Bell, PA
New Construction: Pro-Sport Construction, Inc.
OUTDOOR:
Biszantz Family Tennis Center
Claremont, CA
New Construction: Zaino Tennis Courts, Inc.
INDOOR
Cullman-Heyman Indoor Tennis Center, Yale University
New Haven, CT
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Global Sports & Tennis Design Group,
LLC
INDOOR MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITY OF THE YEAR
Dilcon Community School
Winslow, AZ
New Construction: Robert Cohen Co., LLC
TRACK FACILITIES OF THE YEAR:
OUTDOOR:
Texas Tech University Track
Lubbock, TX
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Robert Cohen Co., LLC
INDOOR:
Central College, Kuyper Fieldhouse
Pella, IA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Kiefer Specialty Flooring, Inc.
SPORTS FIELD OF THE YEAR:
New Alex Box Baseball Stadium at Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA
New Construction: Jeffrey L. Bruce & Company
MULTI-PURPOSE TURF FACILITY OF THE YEAR:
Multi-Purpose Turf Facility at Mather Sports Center
"One Stop Shop for Family Recreation"
Mather, CA
Upgrade of Existing Facility: Beals Alliance
ASBA members will be notified automatically when awards applications are available
for 2010. In the meantime, information on winning projects in past years, and
on the awards program itself, is available by contacting the ASBA. The toll-free
phone number is 866-501-ASBA, the local number is 410-730-9595, and the fax number
is 410-730-8833. The ASBA also may be reached electronically via its website: www.sportsbuilders.org,
or via e-mail at info@sportsbuilders.org.
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ASBA
Presents Industry Merit Award to Founders
ASBA's leadership doesn't give out its Industry
Merit Award very often, but when they do, they make it count.
 In 2009, at the Technical Meeting in Savannah, they made it count by
honoring the Association's founding members. ASBA, which now totals
over 350 member companies, started small, and was built on a foundation
of one goal: promoting quality design and construction in the sports
industry.
The group, which first met in 1964 (in Baltimore, no less), had a notion of organizing
to encourage others to pursue excellence in tennis court and running track construction.
They held their first meeting in a casual, ad hoc format, and decided that a
formal organization was needed.
According to Sheldon Westervelt, one of a handful
of surviving members from the time, "we saw the opportunity we had been waiting for to introduce the idea
of a national association of contractors." The idea, once presented, was
unanimously endorsed, and the mechanics of organization began in earnest.
After beginning the legal work of organizing, as well as the grunt work of recruiting
members, the group gathered again in (where else?) New Orleans in 1966 for its
first official annual meeting as the U.S. Tennis Court & Track Builders Association.
Subsequent annual meetings were held in Scottsdale, Arizona; Clearwater Beach,
Florida; Coronado, California; the Bahamas; and Santa Barbara, California, as
well as in other locations. (The organization worked to alternate meetings between
various geographic areas so as to satisfy all aspects of the organization).
As time went on, the association developed a more formal structure, a
paid management staff and eventually, the publications and documents,
as well as the awards program and the certifications that it is known
for today.
In its presentation at the Technical Meeting, ASBA recognized the founders as
well as charter members: William J. Hansen (Humphries Hanson), Robert E. Lee
(The Lee Company), Gene Edwards (Malott Peterson Grundy), Joseph P. McClaren
(Master-Krete, Inc.), Sydney R. Mayer (Mayer Paving and Asphalt Co.), M.Dale
McDonald (M. Male McDonald Co.), George Peebles (Pacific Tennis Courts), Emery
W. Bedall (Surface Engineers), Sheldon Westervelt (Wm. C. Westervelt and Sons),
Dick Hoover (Zone Marking Co.), and Robert Caldwell. Of this group, only Lee,
Caldwell, Westervelt and Hoover are known to survive.
The Industry Merit Award, with which the founders
and charter members were honored, was instituted to recognize "an individual who has made an outstanding
contribution to the association and the industry." The Board of Directors
and the Awards Committee believed there could be no better tribute to the founders
and charter members than to have the award presented at the Technical Meeting,
which best illustrated that more than 45 years after that first meeting, the
ideals of the group had not only lived on, but flourished.
From the First Meeting of the USTC&TBA
in Baltimore
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ASBA
Elects New Officers and Directors
 ASBA has announced the election and installation
of its officers and directors for the coming year. The new slate
took its place at the conclusion of the ASBA's Technical Meeting,
held December 5-7, 2009, in Savannah, Georgia, and attended by
a record 410 industry members. (The next Technical Meeting, which
will be held December 5-7, 2010, will take place at the Marriott
Sawgrass at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida).
Sam Fisher, CTB of Fisher Tracks, Inc.,
located in Boone, Iowa, was elected to the office of Chairman of ASBA.
Fisher previously served the association as President of the Track Division, worked
on the Track Certification Exam Development Committee, was actively involved
in the re-write of the Running Tracks: A Construction & Maintenance
Manual and Track Guidelines, as well as the certification program and has
served as Chairman of the Interassociation Committee for track. He graduated
from the University of Washington and majored in business with a minor
in economics and accounting.
John Graham of DecoTurf in Andover, Massachusetts, has
been re-elected to the position of Secretary-Treasurer. Graham, who previously
served two terms, has served the association in various capacities, including
as a member of its Marketing Committee. He is a graduate of the University
of New Hampshire with a B.S. in Business and Economics, and has completed
additional studies in accounting, public relations, mergers and acquisitions
and the valuation of companies.
Mark Brogan, CTCB of Pro-Sport Construction,
Inc. in Devon, Pennsylvania, has been re-elected to the position of Tennis
Division President. He previously served the association as a member of
the Board of Directors, and prior to that, has been active on the Awards
Committee (including having served as Chairman) and also serves on a subcommittee
for the USTA. He has been a Certified Tennis Court Builder since 1997.
Dan Wright, CFB of Sports Turf Company, Inc. in Whitesburg,
Georgia, was elected Fields Division President. He previously served as
a member of the Board of Directors. He has been active in numerous ASBA
committees, serving as Chairman of the Field Builders Certification Advisory
Committee and the Chairman of the Turf Manual Revision Committee. He has
also served as the Technical Chair for natural fields.
Randy Futty of Lee Tennis Court Products in Charlottesville,
Virginia, has been re-elected to the office of Supplier Division President.
He has been on the ASBA Board of Directors since 2007, a speaker at numerous
ASBA Technical meetings over the past 16 years and is the past Chairman
of the ASBA Awards Committee. He is also currently a member of the United
States Tennis Association’s National Technical Committee and Co-Chairperson
of both the USTA Outstanding Tennis Facility Awards Committee and a board
liaison to the ASBA.
Several new members of the Board of Directors were also elected or re-elected.
They include the following:
Rob Delmonico of RAD Sports in Rockland, Massachusetts, was
elected to serve as a Builder Director. He previously served the ASBA as a member
of the Field Builders Certification Committee, and has participated in the ASBA
awards programs for several years running. He attended Syracuse University and
is a 1991 Civil Engineering graduate from Wentworth Institute of Technology.
Ben Rennolds, CTCB of Tennis Courts, Inc. in Aylett, Virginia,
was elected to the position of Builder Director. He has been involved with the
ASBA for many years, serving on the tennis court guidelines committee and as
a speaker at multiple Technical Meetings. Mr. Rennolds holds an annual seminar
for tennis professionals and educates attendees on construction and maintenance
of hard courts and clay courts. He has also attended both Chowan College and
Virginia Commonwealth University.
Rob Righter of Nova Sports, USA in Milford, Massachusetts, was
re-elected to the office of Supplier Director. He has served as President of
Nova Sports for the past five years. Prior to that, he was Director of Marketing
for seven years. A graduate of North Adams State College with a BS in Business
Administration, Righter spent time at both Nielsen Marketing Research and Dun & Bradstreet
before joining the family business.
Chris Sullivan of the Beals Alliance in Sacramento, California
was appointed to the position of Professional Division Director. He has worked
with the Beals Alliance for 14 years and currently holds the position of Project
Manager. A licensed Landscape Architect, Sullivan is a graduate of the University
of California-Davis and holds a Bachelor’s in Science in Landscape Architecture.
Officers continuing on the Board of Directors will be Track Division President Kristoff
Eldridge, CTB (Cape & Island Tennis & Track in Pocasset, Massachusetts);
Professional Division President Ed Norton, RLA, ASLA (Holcombe
Norton Partners, Inc., Birmingham, Alabama); and Indoor Division President Robert
Cohen, CTB (Robert Cohen Co., LLC, Albuquerque, New Mexico).
Directors continuing on the Board include Bruce Haroldson (of
Connor Sports Flooring, Salt Lake City, Utah who was recently appointed to fill
a vacancy), David Nielsen (Leslie Coatings, Inc., Indianapolis,
Inidiana), Gerry Perry, CTCB (Gerald Perry Tennis Courts, Inc.,
Springfield, Missouri), and Pete Smith (The CourtSMITHs, Toledo,
Ohio).
George Todd, Jr., CTCB (Welch Tennis Courts, Inc., Sun City,
Florida) the association's most recent chairman, will continue on the Board of
Directors in the role of Immediate Past Chairman.
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MEMBER
NEWS
Newly
Certified Members
ASBA congratulates the following individuals who have achieved their
Certifications since the last newsletter, including the first class of
Certified Field Builders:
Joe Carusello, CFB-S
Medallion Athletic Products
Jim Catella, CFB, CTB
Clark Companies
Tim Cederlund, CFB
Team REIL, Inc.
Jeff Emanuel, CFB
Nemaha Landscape Construction, Inc.
Adam Fryor, CTCB
Court One, Inc.
Matt Graft, CTCB
Talbot Tennis
Matt Hale, CTB, CTCB
Halecon, Inc.
Ryan Hale, CTB
Halecon, Inc.
Steve Horner, CTCB
Advantage Courts
Joseph Martin, CTB
Texas Sports Builders
Charles Morris, CFB-S
J.E.M. Morris Construction, Inc.
Lee Narozanick, CFB
American Athletic Courts, Inc.
John Nelson, CFB
American Athletic Courts, Inc.
Chad Price, CFB
Carolina Green Corp.
Bill Pronevitch, CFB, CTB
Sports Turf Company, Inc.
Hector Puentes, CFB, CTB
Texas Sports Builders
Lance Rosenberger, CFB
Medallion Athletic Products
Dan Wright, CFB
Sports Turf Company, Inc. |
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ASBA
Welcomes New Members
The following companies have joined the ASBA
or renewed their membership since the last newsletter. Please
add their names to the appropriate section of your membership
directory.
AK Sales & Consulting (Builder)
115 E. Country Club Road
Roswell, NM 88201
575-623-1488
moylek@rocketmail.com
Karen Moyle, Owner
American Court Surfacing (Builder)
3770 Stewart Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
310-435-0123
Jason@americancourtsurfacing.com
www.americancourtsurfacing.com
Jason Swofford, Owner
Carolina Green Corp. (Builder)
10108 Indian Trail-Fairview Road
Indian Trail, NC 28079
704-753-1707
cprice@cgcfields.com
www.cgcfields.com
Chad Price, President
Eagle Golf & Athletics, Inc. (Builder)
2114 Hickory Hills Road
Florence, AL 35631
256-765-0050
scross@hiwaay.net
www.egaainc.com
Scott Cross, President
Genan, Inc. (Supplier)
1501 Highwoods Blvd., #106
Greensboro, NC 27410
336-547-9001
da@genan.us
www.genan.eu
Dennis Andersen, Director
Greenset Worldwide S.L. (Builder)
C/DR August Pi I Sunyer AZ,
Barcelona, Spain 08034
34.93.206.61.42
info@greenset.net
www.greenset.net
Jose Antonio Conde, Managing Director
Mid-America Golf & Landscape (Builder)
1621 SE Summit
Lees Summit, MO 64081
816-524-0010
kgrego@mid-americagolf.com
www.mid-americagolf.com
Kirk Grego, Vice President
Nets of America, Inc. (Provisional)
4318 Fincastle Court
Tampa, FL 33624
813-962-8601
Kozicaki21@yahoo.com
www.netsofamerica.com
Alen Kozic, President, CEO
TigerTurf (Supplier)
4616 W. Howard Lane, Bldg. 6, Suite 600
Austin, TX 78728
512-782-8175
harrys@tigerturfworld.com
www.tigerturfworld.com
Harry Salamons, CEO
World Class Athletic Surfaces (Supplier)
817 N. Broad St.
Leland, MS 38756
662-686-9997
Margaret@worldclasspaints.com
www.worldclasspaints.com
Tra DuBois, President
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Shaw
Industries Completes Acquisition of Sportexe
Combined Resources and Experience Creates
a Powerful Force in the Synthetic Turf Sports Industry |
Shaw Industries
Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, announced
the completion of the acquisition of Sportexe
Construction Services, Inc., a leading synthetic turf company
dedicated to sports surfacing.
With an impressive list of high profile field installations, Sportexe
is one of the premier synthetic turf companies in North America.
Sportexe has demonstrated industry leadership in both quality and
innovation for more than two decades. During that time, Sportexe
has provided fields to organizations such as the New York Jets, San
Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills,
University of Pittsburgh, LSU, University of California, University
of Arkansas and many others. Sportexe is also the exclusive or official
turf system supplier for The Arena Football League (AFL/AF2), National
Lacrosse League (NLL) and the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL).
In commenting on the transaction Vance Bell, Chief Executive Officer
of Shaw Industries Group, Inc., stated, “We are very pleased
to have Sportexe joining Shaw Industries. The turf market offers
exciting opportunities for us. We intend to be a fully integrated
producer from manufacturing through installation. With the combined
strengths of these two companies, we look forward to accelerated
growth in the synthetic turf market.”
Mr. Bell continued, “We plan to continue to remain at the forefront
of addressing industry needs by constantly evolving the products
and services we provide. One of these issues will be developing a
sustainable business model for the synthetic turf market. We will
apply to turf those core principles which define our industry leading
position in sustainability.”
Stephen P. Noe, President and CEO of Sportexe Construction Services,
Inc., commented further, “Joining Shaw will give Sportexe the
financial support and resources needed to boost the company to the
next playing level. The combined strength of the two companies will
allow Sportexe to continue delivering great service to its clients
both before the sale, during the installation and throughout the
ownership experience. It will also ensure we give athletes the best
platform on which to play their game.”
The acquisition will bring together Shaw’s current TerraSport™ sports
turf and TerraSoft™ recreational surfaces’ brands, sold
under the Spectra Sports Surfaces division, with Sportexe’s
current product offering.
 |
Editor’s
Note: Information contained in Memberline
is submitted by members and is published without
verification. Its publication does not constitute
an endorsement. |
|
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Plexicushion
Prestige Surface Chose for the Capitala World Tennis Championship
Plexicushion Prestige Surface Chose for
the Capitala World Tennis Championship |
Plexipave is pleased to announce
that the Capitala World Tennis Championship will be played on
their Plexicushion Prestige tennis surface. The Capitala World
Tennis Championship will bring the world’s best players
to Abu Dhabi for the three day tournament that started off the
2010 tennis season.
This single elimination series of matches will be played at
the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at Zayed Sports
City, seating up to 5,000 spectators. Competing for $250,000
is not the only incentive in the winner-takes all championship,
as several awaited rival re-matches may occur. Having opened
December 31st, this match will set the pace for the tournament’s
six competing players as well as the highly anticipated 2010
tournaments leading into the January 19th Australian Open.
“Plexipave worked closely with IMG and Bin Sabt Traders LLC,
the local authorized applicator of Plexicushion, to insure the surface
is similar in all play characteristics to the Australian Open series
that follows the tournament,” said Art Tucker, Vice President
of Plexipave.
Plexicushion Prestige, a full-cushioned tennis court surface is highly
regarded for delivering uniform ball bounce with consistent speed.
The surface of the Australian Open, Plexicushion System combines
the outstanding durability of Plexipave with the shock-absorbing
properties of EPDM rubber cushioning. This tennis surface responds
to body impact and reduces fatigue on the players’ legs, knees,
ankles and feet.
|
Editor’s
Note: Information contained in Memberline
is submitted by members and is published without
verification. Its publication does not constitute
an endorsement. |
|
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May
We Quote You?
One of ASBA's most important programs is its technical articles, which
are written for trade magazines in various segments of the industry,
including tennis, track, indoor and fields facilities. We are always
looking for our members to comment on, and be quoted in these articles.
This is an excellent chance to help raise ASBA's profile, and in an ancillary
capacity, to increase visibility for your company. If you would like
to be quoted in these articles, please send an e-mail to Mary Helen Sprecher
at mhsprecher@verizon.net.
Please indicate your area(s) of expertise: Tennis, Track, Indoor, Fields
so that we do not bother you with excess e-mail. You can be added to
more than one mailing list if you wish.
If you have previously sent Mary Helen an e-mail asking to be added to
her e-mail list, please confirm now that you would like to remain on
the list. In addition, if your e-mail has changed and you have not been
receiving questions, please contact her with your current e-mail address.
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Advertise
in the ASBA/USTA Tennis Court Manual
The sixth edition of Tennis Courts: A Construction and Maintenance
Manual, published jointly by ASBA and the United States Tennis
Association is scheduled for publication in Spring 2010. This useful
reference is sold not only by ASBA and USTA, but also by Amazon.com.
Moreover, over the last two years, USTA and NRPA have purchased and
distributed more than 1,000 copies to USTA volunteers and Sections,
and to grant applicants in USTA’s Public Facility Assistance
program. DETAILS
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of Page
Call
for Articles: Seeking Submissions to Newsline
 Articles to be submitted to Newsline should address topics
that are of interest to the general membership. (Certainly, we realize
that not all topics are relevant to everyone, so perhaps this might be
of interest just to those who make post-tensioned concrete courts, or
asphalt tennis courts in park and rec facilities, or latex tracks, or
multi-purpose artificial turf fields, etc.)
They might concern, for example, ideas for solutions to common problems, new
trends in construction or repair, problems being reported by consumers and how
contractors are addressing them (or things they're trying in general in order
to fix those problems). Sometimes, a contractor has developed a checklist for
customers to use when examining their courts, tracks or fields on a periodic
or seasonal basis; sometimes, a contractor wants to discuss an issue that seems
to be troubling facilities in a specific geographical area, and to suggest some
possible fixes, but to invite other builders to chime into the discussion, and
so on. Sometimes, the writer wants to discuss the proper technique for installing
equipment or supplies, and certainly, that is an important topic as well.
We ask members to try to steer clear of recommending brand-name products, and
to use generic terms whenever possible. Length isn't always an issue because
our Newsline is an online publication -- but we do ask that the writer try to
be as concise as possible, since it keeps the reader interested. It is not required
that you submit illustrations (photos, diagrams, etc.) with your article, but
certainly, if you want to, ASBA's readers find them very helpful. (When submitting
photos, please make sure they are as high a resolution as possible, since they
show up much more clearly that way).
Whenever possible, articles should be submitted
electronically, in a Word format. Please include your phone number and an
email address (and let us know how to get in touch with you) in case we have
any questions or need clarification on any points.
Certified Builders can obtain points by submitting articles for publication.
Please review the recertification
handbook for detailed information on recertification points.
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CALENDAR 
For information on any of the meetings shown below,
call ASBA at 866-501-ASBA, e-mail info@sportsbuilders.org or
visit ASBA's
web site.
2010
February 19-22, 2010
ASBA Winter Meeting
Westin Resort & Spa
Cancun,
Mexico
July 1, 2010
ASBA Awards Deadline
December 5-7, 2010
ASBA Technical Meeting
Marriott Sawgrass
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
2011
February 10-15, 2011
ASBA Winter Meeting
Atlantis Paradise Island
Nassau,
Bahamas
July 1, 2011
ASBA Awards Deadline
December 1-6, 2011
ASBA Technical Meeting
JW Marriott Resort and Spa
Palm Springs, CA.
Information on the ASBA Technical Meetings and Winter Meetings
will be sent out automatically to all ASBA members. Non-members
should request information by contacting ASBA.
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