Work Begins on New Acker Gymnasium Floor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2000
Joe Wills
530-898-4143
Work Begins on New Acker Gymnasium Floor
Workers have begun removing the old Acker Gymnasium wooden floor in preparation for a new floor that should be ready for use Oct. 11.
The work was necessitated by an act of vandalism July 21 that resulted in the entire floor being covered by a large amount of water. The 40-year-old floor was severely damaged.
Mellas Flooring of Sacramento is the contractor assigned to demolish the existing damaged floor and install a new floor. The demolition began Aug. 22. The contract for the work is worth just under $199,000. Acker Gymnasium is covered under a CSU-wide property insurance policy.
A subcontractor, Cal-Inc., is currently completing installation of new equipment that raises and lowers six basketball backboards in the gymnasium. That contract is worth approximately $67,000. Among other costs associated with the new floor will be the installation of new floor anchor sockets for volleyball.
The entire 18,300-square-foot floor area is being replaced, said Henry Maas, who is overseeing the project for Facility Management and Services. Like the existing floor, the new floor will be made of rock-hard maple, Maas said.
The new wood floor will have several additional layers underneath it, Maas said, which should provide a bouncier surface and greater protection from wear and tear . The original floor had tar paper and supporting wood sleepers underneath. The new floor will have six layers of materials: plastic sheeting, a rubber pad, sleepers, plywood, felt, then the maple.
Once the floor is installed and sealed, Wildcat colors and logos will be added. Maas said Wildcat paws will be added at center court for basketball, along with the words “Chico State” and “Wildcats” at either end of the court. Striping and lettering will use the school colors of cardinal red and white.
While work proceeds on Acker Gymnasium, classes and events scheduled for the gym are being moved elsewhere. Athletic Director Don Batie said Shurmer Gym is currently in use from 7 a.m. until evening. Other venues on campus and in the community are also being used.
For information about events scheduled in Acker Gymnasium, contact the Athletics department at 530-898-6470.
###