Gateway Sports Academy (GSA) is a new, state-of-the-art sports and recreation center in Saukville, Wisconsin, just north of Milwaukee. Encompassing more than 45,000 square feet, the complex features four full-sized basketball courts, six volleyball courts, 12 pickleball courts, and nine shooting cages. The facility also boasts sports medicine and team rooms as well as hospitality amenities such as a beer garden, concessions, and lounge.
FLOORING TECHNOLOGY DELIVERS SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE
GSA was designed as a destination facility where high school, collegiate, and adult athletes can train and compete. With a goal of attracting regional tournaments and facing steep competition to get there, keeping the athlete experience top of mind was (and continues to be) a key differentiator for the facility.
Partnering with Action Floors and dealer partner ProStar Surfaces, GSA selected the latest in sports flooring innovation: The Zone Floor. This cuttingedge sports flooring surface is engineered specifically for basketballâs modern style of play and high-volume usage.
A FLOOR TO MATCH AN AMBITIOUS VISION â WHOâS YOUR ATHLETE?â˘
GSAâs owners were creating more than a gym. Preparing for high traffic and variable use, they needed a floor that would perform and help them stand out in a crowded market. The floor had to deliver professional-quality performance and be sports-specific while supporting thousands of athletes each year.
They required:
⢠Elite-level performance and injury prevention for athletes who train and play multiple games a day
⢠A marketable differentiator to stand out in a highly competitive tournament market
⢠A durable, sustainable surface that could withstand heavy usage from athletes of all experience levels
⢠A high-end aesthetic consistent with a destination-level facility
THE ZONE FLOOR: âBECAUSE THE GAME HAS CHANGEDâ
The Zone Floor, a maple sports flooring system, is a patented design that meets the demands of basketballâs fast-paced play and protect athletes in the process. It combines advanced material science with sustainable design to deliver a safer, smarter, and more consistent playing surface for athletes of all ages and skill levels.
The Zone Floor was developed using in-game analytics that studied where the most impact takes place during play. For example, basketball players often perform 70 or more jumps during a single game, many times in the same areas of the court. All that repeated impact adds up and can lead to overuse injuries. To combat this repeated stress on athletesâ bodies, The Zone Floor was engineered to mitigate the pressure while returning energy to the player upon impact.
The benefits to the athlete include:
⢠Increased training efficiency: Enables longer, more effective practices with less risk of overuse injuries
⢠Enhanced game performance: Absorbs and redistributes energy to reduce fatigue, allowing players to perform at peak levels for longer periods
⢠Boosted playability: Optimal ball rebound and proper vertical deflection make play fun, rewarding, and comfortable
⢠Instills confidence: Athletes can practice key movements repeatedly without the risk of injury, building skills and confidence, especially for younger athletes.
GROUNDBREAKING INNOVATION
In a groundbreaking move for the sports flooring industry, Action Floors partnered with Northern Michigan University to conduct comprehensive research on The Zone Floorâs safety and performance. This collaboration marks the first time a sports flooring manufacturer has leveraged academic expertise on such a scale to enhance product innovation.
The results showed greater shock absorption and a decrease in impact as subjects landed on the flooring. These strategically placed, high-absorption areas sit at areas where athletes jump and land most frequently, delivering benefits to the athlete without impacting travel down the court.
THE INNOVATION OF SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL SCIENCE
Built with all-natural rubber pads and sustainably sourced maple from northern Wisconsin, The Zone Floor underscores Action Floorsâ commitment to environmental responsibility. Action Floors repurposes materials where possible, and its facilities are designed to conserve energy, utilizing advanced technology and processes that lower energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Architects, builders, and facility managers can incorporate The Zone Floor as part of holistic green building efforts while ensuring a positive experience for users.
SCORE! EARLY RESULTS ARE IN
Although tournament play is just beginning, the response to GSA and its flooring has been highly positive. Coaches and athletes note the comfort, responsiveness, and high-end feel of the floor. With hotel and entertainment developments underway near the complex, GSA is positioned to become a premier destination for regional basketball events.
READY FOR THE LATEST INNOVATION FOR YOUR WOOD SPORTS FLOOR?
As basketball continues to evolve, so should the playing surface. With The Zone Floor, you can help athletes train harder, play longer, and stay safer.
Contact Action Floors today for more on this innovative solution. Weâll start by learning about your athlete and then match your facility with an innovative system that meets athletesâ needs and exceeds your expectations.
Tell usâWhoâs Your Athlete?â˘
Learn more about the technology behind our floors now.