Thompson Gymnasium Pre-Demolition 8/24/15

General

Thompson Gymnasium floor to receive facelift

ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. – Countless memories have been forged on the hardwood at Thompson Gymnasium since its dedication in 1970. The original floor is being replaced for the first time in its 45-year history, a process that began Tuesday morning.

The floor structure in the gymnasium, which includes Kauffman Court, the main competition court, and two bracketing auxiliary courts, has gone through scheduled sanding and refinishing maintenance multiple times during its lifespan and was not originally scheduled to be replaced this year.

Earlier this summer, during construction on the gymnasium's pitched roof, a vapor barrier was blown open by a thunderstorm, resulting in water damage to the court.

After surveying the damage and evaluating its options, Elizabethtown College chose to demolish the original floor and install a maple Aacer ScissorLocâ„¢ DC floor, identical to those installed at Penn State's Rec Hall and Gettysburg College's Bream Gymnasium. The new high performance floor will protect against water damage in the future.

Miller Flooring of West Chester is overseeing the project. Miller Flooring has worked with the United States Naval Academy, Villanova, Lehigh, York College, Millersville University, the University of Delaware, Lincoln University, Gettysburg College and Penn State as well as numerous area high schools, and is currently installing the College's new Mondo surface at the outdoor track & field facility.

The new court, expected to be installed by the end of October, will benefit current and future students for years to come. Details on the court's aesthetics will be released at a later date.

Though untimely, the necessary replacement will cause Blue Jay women's volleyball to relocate a majority of its 2015 season, along with men's and women's basketball for much of the preseason.

"The investment in a new floor for Thompson Gymnasium demonstrates Elizabethtown's continued commitment to all of our students and to high quality athletic and fitness programs," said Dean of Students Marianne Calenda. "We thank students, faculty and staff for their patience during the project."

The volleyball team will host many of its matches, including the Sept. 18-19 Blue Jay Classic, at Elizabethtown Area High School (600 E High St, Elizabethtown, PA 17022).

Pieces of the original Thompson Gymnasium floor will be saved, but plans to make those pieces available to the public have not yet been finalized.
 
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Demoltion begins on the original Thompson Gymnasium hardwood Tuesday.

 
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