OCR Text |
Show Mew irawadle BY DAVID JOHNSON Thunderbird Staff Writer SUs gym in the PE Building is now open for play, as the new floor, said to be better than that in the Centrum, was recendy completed. Officials see the floor as impenetrable, and even past problems, such as the leaking roof, will not affect this floor. The floor is designed using a new construction technique which yields a surface superior to the Centrums floor, according to buildings superintendant Dale Brinkerhoff. Physical education Department Head Stephen Lunt agrees. Its the subflooring that makes the difference. This design is the least expensive as well as the best. Brinkerhoff explained the concept of the new floor. This has two layers of foam placed on the floor first, then lx6s are run 45 degrees from each other. The new method, according to Lunt, results in a floor graces SUs gymnasiums which enhances the action of play. According to Associate Athletic Director Kathryn Berg, the floor is ideal. I love it. It is absolutely magnificent. The finish on it is wonderful. It is the best you could expect. floor may be a The technologically-advance- d wonder, but a section of the roof above it may be a problem. According to Lunt, water leaks occasionally through the roof on the southeast corner of the gym where the water naturally drains off the roof. Its only when you get the heavy snows that it happens, he said. During heavy rain or snowfall, water runs under the shingles and leaks through the southeastern skylight, he said. To keep the water off the floor, we put a plastic cloth down. Since they have a seed on the floor, the water doesnt hurt it. According to Brinkerhoff, the floor is not in danger. Were not having any floor damage, he said. In the past, condensation resulting from standard gymnasium use could have contributed to the leak. The humidity in the gym drops to the floor like Lunt said. Weve remedied that by raindrops, increasing the temperature in the room, Brinkerhoff said, weve improved it 80 to 90 percent or so. Some of the leaking could be a result of an insufficient repair made on the roof after some shingles blew off during heavy wind gusts several years past, Lunt said. The skylights could be the source of the problem, but Brinkerhoff believes it will be a solution. We had a contractor put some tin flanges under the skylights, he said. The roof jacks are not perpendicular, its not a good arrangement. It never has been from the start. Removing the skylights has been considered, he said, but will be a last resort. Wed like to keep the natural light, he said. |