PROJECT
interiors
Below. A previously unused outdoor area at Sacramento State Univ. was transformed into a functional turf space with products from Ecore, Lancaster, PA. Right. TurfX is highly customizable with options for logos, agility drills, or other designs, and is available in seven colors.
Unused Space Gets Fit Ecore outdoor-surface products support fresh-air exercise.
S
acramento State Univ., Sacramento, CA, offers
Sides suggested installing Training Ground with Nike
floor. Sacramento State installed the UltraTile to “follow
seven academic colleges with 58 undergraduate
Grind TurfX and Everlast UltraTile. TurfX features a
the line of the building, which is kind of curved,” said
majors. In keeping with the campus’ rugged out-
35-mm-thick system that includes a 25-mm turf wear lay-
Blessinger. “It looks functional, and you won’t trip over
door environment, the university offers opportunities for
er field united to a 10-mm Nike Grind SmashPad. What’s
anything.” That’s because the UltraTile provides a nice
adventure indoors and out. The school’s state-of-the-art
unique about TurfX is that the SmashPad comprises ma-
transition between the TurfX and existing surfacing in
recreation and wellness center, known as The WELL, ex-
terials generated from recycled athletic shoes. This sur-
The WELL.
ists for the benefit of the university’s students and the
face’s thatch support system eliminates the need for infill,
School personnel are very happy with the results of
greater Sacramento community.
making it the perfect training turf. TurfX also is highly
the new functional training space. “We have more than
customizable, with options for logos, agility drills, or oth-
5,000 people a day come into our building,” said Bless-
er designs, and is available in seven colors.
inger. “The university has 32,000 students, and there is
“The WELL was built six years ago and is a 150,000-sq.ft. facility that offers student health support, outdoor education, a recreation facility, and climbing wall,” said
“We got our logo in it and it looks really cool,” said
nothing else around, so it’s highly utilized. Flooring and
Jason Blessinger, assistant director of fitness. The build-
Blessinger. “The logo enhances this space from the out-
equipment gets used very frequently, so we look for stuff
ing had additional outdoor areas that could provide fit-
side in. We don’t have turf anywhere else in our building,
that will last.” CA
ness space if used effectively. The nationwide trend to-
so to be able to offer an alternative exercise space is great.
ward functional training also was starting to have an
Members do sprints, agility work, roll tires, and perform
impact on the university. “We started creating other areas
outdoor work in this area.”
in the building for non-traditional exercise space, things
In addition to these activities, the new functional fit-
like TRX and boxing, and it was getting used,” said Bless-
ness space offers small-group classes featuring bells, bags,
inger. “Our customer base was asking for more non-tradi-
ropes, and sports agility. “It’s an awesome space to use for
tional exercise space.”
classes, because we’re not blocking off part of a weight
As a result, the previously unused outdoor area was transformed into a functional turf space. Having had
room to do it, or actually having to be on a field,” reported Blessinger. “It’s a really cool place.”
good success with Ecore, Lancaster, PA, Athletic Bounce
The TurfX is surrounded by Ecore Athletic’s Everlast
2 surfacing in its GroupX room at the facility, university
UltraTile, a 2-ft. x 2-ft. x 1-in. tile. The surface’s patented
representatives began working with David Sides, Ecore
ultra wear layer on a molded base allows it to surpass the
athletic and fitness regional sales manager.
noise and shock absorption qualities of any other fitness
Want more information? To download the information listed below, visit commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/ 1707ecore
Circle 7 on the Reader Service Card. Watch a video. Get information on TurfX. Get information on Everlast UltraTile.
commercialarchitecturemagazine.com
JULY 2017
COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE
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