Industry Press Room - Athletic Business

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Stantec signs letter of intent to acquire Bonestroo Inc.

Posted by AB Editors

Source: Stantec

EDMONTON AB (July 28, 2011) — North American design firm Stantec announced today that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Minnesota-based Bonestroo, Inc. The engineering, planning, and environmental science firm has approximately 275 employees in eleven offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and North Dakota.

“With Bonestroo's expertise and reputation for technical excellence and responsive service, we’ll be better equipped to offer municipal and environmental services in regions of the United States where, to date, we’ve had very limited or no presence,” says Bob Gomes, Stantec president and chief executive officer.

Founded in 1956, Bonestroo, Inc. is a multidisciplinary firm that specializes in municipal engineering, infrastructure planning, streets and utilities design, water supply, water storage, water distribution, brownfields redevelopment, environmental planning, environmental management, environmental compliance, transportation engineering, traffic engineering, bridge design, water resources management, ice design, aquatics design, athletic field design, land use planning, and urban design.

Stantec provides professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management, and project economics for infrastructure and facilities projects. Stantec currently has approximately 475 staff and 16 offices in the Midwest and was ranked 16th by ENR Midwest magazine in 2010. In the past 14 months, Stantec has added over 1,600 staff across North America and internationally.

Posted At 10:18 AM • Comments (5)

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Mondo opens Brazil Subsidiary to Support Upcoming Events

Posted by AB Editors

Source: Mondo

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – July 20, 2011 – Mondo, whose sport flooring is the dominant flooring surface at the 2011 Military World Games in Brazil, announced today that it has opened Mondo Brazil to support its sales and service efforts in the South American country as it prepares to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.

The fifth Military World Games, now underway in Brazil, is a nine-day, Olympic-style competition that brings together approximately 4,900 athletes representing 100 nations’ armed forces.

The main surface being used for track training and competition for these games, which continue through July 24, is Mondo’s Super X Performance track.

Eight track and field venues at the games feature the world-class surface, including João Havelange Olympic Stadium, where the finals in athletics (track and field) will take place. This also is the stadium where the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2016 Summer Paralympics athletics competitions will be held, and where the 2007 Pan American Games took place.

In addition, Super X Performance is the surface for the running portion of the Military Games’ pentathlon competition; Mondosport Performance is being used for the Games’ volleyball competition.

Mondo is the official surface supplier for the Military World Games and the event’s exclusive sponsor.

“Mondo is proud of our close association with the Military World Games and the event’s pursuit of international harmony through sport,” said Federico Stroppiana, vice president, strategic development, Mondo Group. “It is only fitting that the men and women representing their nations’ armed forces are training and competing on surfaces engineered to help them perform their best.”

Mondo Brazil is headquartered in Nova Lima, not far from Belo Horizonte. Raffaele Peano is president of the new subsidiary, the company’s first in South America.

“The opening of Mondo Brazil in advance of these major international competitions is important for ensuring the highest level of product delivery, service and support, but it also will enhance Mondo’s position in the global market,” said Stroppiana. “South America has a rich sporting tradition and Mondo Brazil will enable us to expand our international presence through the sales to indoor and outdoor sports facilities in the prosperous South American market.”

About Mondo

Mondo is the global leader in the sports and contract flooring markets, manufacturing flooring surfaces for virtually every application. More than 2,000 Mondo tracks and 800 Mondo artificial turf fields are installed worldwide. The official supplier of the athletic track for the past nine Olympic Games and the upcoming 2012 London Olympics, Mondo also is the official supplier or official sponsor of more than 100 sports federations and associations.

Posted At 1:48 PM • Comments (2)

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

New Independent Firm to Provide Consulting Services in Facility Operations, Evaluation and Analysis

Posted by AB Editors

Source: Venue Solutions Group

Nashville, TN — Russ Simons, former senior principal at global design firm Populous, and two Nashville colleagues have formed Venue Solutions Group, LLC (VSG). The new company, headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., will offer consulting services in facility operations, evaluation and analysis to public assembly facilities and a range of industries beyond.

Joining Simons as partners on the Venue Solutions Group team are Mike Wooley, former Populous principal, and Tom Williams, former Populous facility operations consultant. The new firm's focus will be the improvement of facility performance through benchmarking, best practices and the partners’ direct experience in facility operations. In addition to the partners’ concentration at Populous — the public assembly facility market, including professional sports, collegiate sports venues and convention/conference centers — Venue Solutions Group will also consult in the areas of commercial business, retail, health care and government.

“My nine years with the professionals at Populous has been a fantastic experience,” said Simons. “The opportunity to learn from clients, architects, designers and industry leaders in all facility types, including world class sports and entertainment facilities, convention centers and such major special events as the Super Bowl, has been unbeatable preparation for this new venture," he said.

“All of us at VSG look forward to continuing our relationship with Populous and appreciate the firm’s support during the transition,” said Simons.

“Russ was a valued industry friend for years before he joined Populous in 2002,” said Rick Martin, Populous board member. “We’ve benefitted greatly from his tenure here and are delighted to see him spread his wings to deliver his passion and knowledge to an even wider client audience. We enthusiastically look forward to collaborating with Russ and his team on projects in the future. Services provided by Venue Solutions Group include facility condition assessments, guest experience benchmarking, mystery shopping, safety and security consulting, crowd management planning, capital expenditure planning, risk assessment, sustainable operations and support for new and ongoing operations and management.

“VSG will focus on all aspects of how facilities work,” Simons said. “We will support owners and managers on operations and opening new facilities, along with ongoing operational consulting. Essentially, every bit of "science" that makes facilities work and work well.

“We will operate as a ‘friend’ to the industry. We will answer questions, provide research and support operators, managers and owners industry-wide" Simons continued. “I believe that Mike, Tom and I have established a reputation in the industry that we can be counted on and it is very important to me that we continue that commitment.”

Posted At 4:46 PM • Comments (2)

First Comprehensive, Annotated Guide Covers Uses, Benefits of Synthetic Turf

Posted by AB Editors

Source: Synthetic Turf Council

ATLANTA — The Synthetic Turf Council (STC) has unveiled "SyntheticTurf 360°, A Guide for Today’s Synthetic Turf" to showcase the numerous uses and benefits of synthetic turf. Available for download without charge, the education piece is the first comprehensive, annotated tool of its kind in the industry.

"We created this piece in response to requests from consumers, members, athletic directors, municipal officials and others,” said Rick Doyle, president of the Synthetic Turf Council. “After much research, editing, and time, 'Synthetic Turf 360°' presents the latest thinking about today’s synthetic turf in an attractive format.”

"Synthetic Turf 360°" features information about athletic fields and the growing landscape and recreation category, which includes parks, playgrounds, homes, businesses, golf courses and more. Content covers environmental factors, safety, accessibility, costs and the various synthetic turf applications now available. This copyrighted STC document is free for use and sharing as long as it’s not altered in any way. To access the piece, visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.

Education is an important focus for the STC. Its website contains research, studies and position papers from federal agencies, governing bodies and independent sources worldwide. In addition to "Synthetic Turf 360°," other resources include "Reaching the Finish Line," which helps athletic directors interested in synthetic turf raise funds and build support, and technical papers including "Suggested Guidelines for the Essential Elements of Synthetic Turf Systems" and "Suggested Guidelines for the Maintenance of Infilled Synthetic Turf Surfaces."

About the Synthetic Turf Council

Based in Atlanta, the Synthetic Turf Council was founded in 2003 to promote the industry and to assist buyers and end users with the selection, use and maintenance of synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf, municipal parks, airports, landscape and residential applications. The organization is also a resource for current, credible and independent research on the safety and environmental impact of synthetic turf. Membership includes builders, landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, manufacturers, suppliers, installation contractors, infill material suppliers and other specialty service companies. For more information, visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.

Posted At 4:29 PM • Comments (0)

Playworld Systems Donates New PlaySimple and Vaquero Equipment to Community in Carrefour, Haiti

Posted by AB Editors

Source: Playworld Systems

LEWISBURG, PA — Playworld Systems, a leading manufacturer of imaginative playground equipment, recently announced its participation in a playground build in Carrefour, Haiti. As a global business, the company has worked for decades to extend the value of play beyond U.S. borders. In partnership with volunteers from Lifechurch of Allentown, Pa., Playworld Systems donated and installed its new PlaySimple™ and Vaquero products near the Carrefour stadium where the Red Cross set up relief efforts after last year’s devastating earthquake. The company also donated its nature-theme Pup Tent Climber, which proved to be a big hit with the children in the community.

“We believe that all the world needs play, and play is not a luxury,” said Ian Proud, research manager at Playworld Systems. “Now the children of Carrefour have a safe place to play for many years to come.”

The new playground includes Playworld Systems’ latest innovative products.

PlaySimple features climbing, sliding and running — all play activities to build a child’s gross motor and socialization skills, as well as agility, dexterity, body strength and self-confidence. The structures are ADA-compliant, and many of the sets feature ground-level activities, which accommodate children with special needs.

Vaquero is among the latest in Playworld Systems’ motion play equipment. Children can sit, ride or stand on this bucking bronco. The more kids move and pull the ropes, the more exhilarating the play experience.

The nature-theme Pup Tent Climber brings children’s imaginations to life. Sheltered spaces like this encourage imaginative play, and the exterior of the tent features several RockBlocks® handholds that allow for climbing.

The playground installation is one of the many rebuilding efforts being coordinated by Lifechurch. The organization has maintained a presence in Haiti since 2009, working with orphans and caring for the sick through its medical clinic.

In addition to Haiti, Playworld Systems has provided playgrounds to villages in Ghana through its exclusive partnership with Empower Playgrounds Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides renewable energy to villages in Ghana through electricity-generating playground equipment and smart LED lanterns.

About Playworld Systems, Inc.

For 40 years, Playworld Systems has been a leader in creating imaginative, customized commercial play and fitness equipment that positively impacts the health and well being of communities around the globe. Based on the belief that The World Needs Play®, Playworld Systems brings the joy and benefits of healthful outdoor play and exercise to people of every age and ability through such innovative product lines as ENERGI®, LifeTrail® Advanced Wellness System, Playworld®, PlayDesigns®, NEOS® and Origins™. The multi-generational, family-owned company continues to invest significant resources to measurably reduce its impact on the environment, from taking aggressive action to eliminate PVC to enhancing its waste management and recycling programs. In fact, Playworld Systems is the first major U.S. playground manufacturer to remove 99.999 percent of PVC from its products. Playworld Systems offers an optimal customer experience unique in the industry — from value-added services using Microsoft Tag to personalized attention through its vast network of local distributors.

Posted At 4:19 PM • Comments (19)

Sport Court Named Official Surface for Volleyball Canada

Posted by AB Editors

Source: Sport Court

OTTAWA, CANADA — Volleyball Canada has selected
Sport Court as the official playing surface for the organization. The
selection was announced by Mark Eckert, executive director of Volleyball Canada. "This agreement is the result of a longstanding, beneficial relationship with Sport Court," said Eckert. "During this time, Sport Court has proven to be a great surface for the volleyball community in Canada and beyond."

"We are thrilled to have been chosen by Volleyball Canada. Sport Court is the only modular synthetic playing surface with ISO 9001:2008 quality certification, which sets quality standards that ensure Volleyball
Canada's athletes are receiving the best products each and every time," said Ron Cerny, president of Connor Sport Court International.

"Quality and safety are enormously important to us," added Eckert.
"Sport Court is the only modular synthetic surface with ISO 9001:2008 quality certification. This quality standard provides safety for our
athletes and insures that the performance of our sport will not be
compromised," added Eckert "

About Sport Court

Connor Sport Court, headquartered in Salt Lake City, is the official
surface of the regional governing body of the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA). Sport Court has also been the official playing surface of USA Volleyball for 22 years. Sport Court is the only modular synthetic surface approved for play by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). More athletic events are played on Connor Sport Court International surfaces than on any other sports flooring in the world. Sport Court® is a registered trademark of Connor Sport Court International. Since 1974, it has identified the original and authentic modular sport surface, continuously improved and patented to provide the highest levels of quality and performance. Sport Court is proud to be the only sports surfacing company in the world that is independently audited and verified as "Zero Waste" and fully ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certified.

Posted At 4:08 PM • Comments (1)

NSPF Offers Free Online Course on How to Comply with Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act

Posted by AB Editors

Source: National Swimming Pool Foundation

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. — The National Swimming Pool Foundation® announces a free online training course to educate health officials and pool and spa professionals about the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. This course is a free, online resource to ensure that the requirements of the act are properly understood, how to identify and perform required steps for inspection, and how to bring pools and spas into compliance. “This course is a valuable and convenient resource to help health officials and professionals to engage and understand the Act,” commented Tracynda Davis, M.P.H., director for environmental health programs at the National Swimming Pool Foundation.

In September 2010, the National Swimming Pool Foundation was awarded a Consumer Product Safety Commission contract, through Erica Lane Enterprises, to help educate health officials and bring public pools and spas into compliance with the P&SS Act. In addition, the foundation will host in-person training sessions.

Participants in the online course are able to work at their own pace. The interactive course features narration, images and video, and includes practice exercises. A downloadable PDF resource guide is offered in addition to a link to a copy of the P&SS Act. Participants can register for the free online Pool & Spa Safety course at www.nspf.org and click on online training.

About NSPF®

The National Swimming Pool Foundation® is a nonprofit organization founded in 1965, giving back over $3.7 million in the past six years to fund grants to prevent illness, injury, and drowning, and to demonstrate the benefits of aquatic activity. The Foundation works toward its mission to encourage healthier living through aquatic education and research with its collection of educational products and training. NSPF is the leading educator for professionals who service, operate, and regulate public and private pools and spas. Visit www.nspf.org for more information.

Posted At 3:59 PM • Comments (1)

DINOFLEX Celebrates 10 Years of ReGrind Program

Posted by AB Editors

SOURCE: DINOFLEX Group LP

SALMON ARM, BC — DINOFLEX Group LP, manufacturer of recycled rubber surfaces, which led the way in establishing post-manufacturing “recycling” programs within the industry, is celebrating its 10th year of providing its own ReGrind Program. Since 2002, DINOFLEX has been collecting not only consumer building waste from construction projects but also post-manufacturing waste from the manufacturing of indoor
flooring. This material is collected, sent through the ReGrind program and used in different products.

Kevin Manke, production manager with DINOFLEX says that in a day from post-manufacturing waste alone, 1,600 kg of the collected material is reground and then either put back into production or stored in reusable totes to be used during another run. He estimates that 800,000 kg of regrind has been saved from the landfill. And that’s just in DINOFLEX’s post-manufacturing waste.

Post-installation waste can also be sent back for regrinding, as can post-consumer rubber flooring. At DINOFLEX, this practice has been standard, again since 2002. “The material needs to be free of contaminates — glue, rocks, etc.”, says Manke. Once reground, the result is a multi-colored recycled rubber crumb. Because the process combines so many different tile types and colors, this crumb is used a lot in products that are not seen, like the bases of the outdoor NuVista tiles. Other products that use this crumb are wheel chocks, RV risers and underlay.

For more information please visit www.dinoflex.com.

Posted At 3:54 PM • Comments (11)