Exploring the Evolving Trends in High School Gymnasium Design

High school gymnasiums serve as the heart of a school’s athletic and community activities. They are not only spaces for sports competitions but also for physical education classes, school events, and sometimes even community gatherings. With the evolving landscape of education and sports, gymnasium design and athletic equipment have seen significant advancements and shifts in trends. Let’s dive into some of the latest trends shaping high school gymnasiums today.

1. Multi-Purpose Spaces:

Gone are the days when gymnasiums were solely dedicated to sports activities. Modern high school gymnasium designs emphasize versatility and multi-functionality. These spaces are now designed to accommodate various activities, from basketball games to volleyball matches, wrestling tournaments, dance recitals, and even academic events like assemblies or graduation ceremonies. Flexible seating arrangements, retractable bleachers, and movable partitions allow for quick and easy transformation of the space to suit different purposes. We are here to assist with product recommendations and layout options for both our seating division and space management division.

2. Technology Integration:

Technology plays an increasingly significant role in high school gymnasiums, both in terms of design and athletic equipment. From state-of-the-art scoreboards and video display systems to integrated sound systems for pep rallies and events, technology enhances the overall experience for athletes and spectators alike. Smart equipment, such as digitally connected fitness machines and tracking systems, also allows coaches and students to monitor performance metrics and progress more effectively. Integrating the ceiling-suspended basketball backstops, ceiling ceiling-suspended volleyball systems with the touch of a screen has been a huge upgrade that many facilities love.

3. Sustainability and Green Initiatives:

With growing environmental consciousness, many high schools are incorporating sustainable design elements into their gymnasiums. This includes energy-efficient lighting systems, eco-friendly flooring materials, and the use of recycled or locally sourced materials in construction. Some schools are even integrating renewable energy solutions like solar panels to power their facilities, reducing their carbon footprint while setting an example for students and the community.

4. Safety and Accessibility:

Safety and accessibility are paramount considerations in modern gymnasium design. High schools are implementing measures to ensure the well-being of athletes and spectators, including proper lighting, non-slip flooring, ADA-compliant access ramps and facilities, and emergency response systems. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on injury prevention through the use of high-quality protective padding, shock-absorbing flooring, and ergonomic equipment designs. Safety is one of first concerns when working on a new gymnasium design. This is front of mind when discussing spectator seating, the type of athletic flooring that would be best, as well as where wall padding needs to be installed.

5. Wellness and Fitness Focus:

As awareness of the importance of physical fitness and mental well-being grows, high school gymnasiums are evolving to promote holistic wellness. Beyond traditional sports, there’s a greater emphasis on fitness training, yoga, dance, and other recreational activities that cater to diverse interests and abilities. Schools are investing in a variety of athletic equipment, from traditional weights and cardio machines to functional training tools like battle ropes, kettlebells, and agility ladders, to support comprehensive wellness programs.

In conclusion, high school gymnasium design and athletic equipment trends are continually evolving to meet the changing needs and priorities of students, educators, and communities. By embracing flexibility, technology, sustainability, safety, and wellness, modern gymnasiums serve as dynamic hubs for physical activity, learning, and social interaction, enriching the educational experience and promoting healthier lifestyles for generations to come.

Reach out to our team of design specialists to help you select the best products to fit your gymnasium’s needs. We assist with spectator seating, athletic equipment, athletic flooring, and space division.

Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment Expands Space Division Line

Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment (SSE) is proud to announce the expansion to our space division product offerings. We have expanded into the Fire & Life Safety sector, as well as grown our commercial/office sector. We now represent McKeon Door Company in North and West Florida. And we are the exclusive distributor in the state of Florida for Line Systems Demountable Partitions, and Euro-Wall Exterior Folding/Sliding/Stacking Partitions.

McKEON is a leading manufacturer of fire doors, fire shutters, fire curtains, smoke curtains, service doors, and security grilles. Their emphasis on special-purpose fire door systems has provided architects and design professionals with numerous options and product performance not previously available, and that are only available from McKEON. These building products enter the marketplace specifically to assist design professionals and code enforcement personnel in satisfying open design without compromising fire and life safety requirements. McKEON is dedicated to working with every customer to develop the best solution for the project’s needs. SSE and McKEON are able to assist in thorough analysis and consultation to develop a wide variety of application solutions.

Bowie State University Fire Doors Photographed on 01/25/2014 Jeff Wolfram – Photographer

Line Systems is an industry-leading manufacturer of Office Demountable Partition Systems. As a Global Office Partitions Brand, Line Systems has now been introduced in North America bringing European design, engineering, and performance to the market. Their focus has been to further enhance production quality, lead times, and aesthetics without compromising design or features.

Line Systems Glass Slim U

Euro-Wall is a Florida based manufacturer, that builds exterior folding glass walls that meet the stringent Florida building codes for high-velocity winds and protect against the damage caused by debris during hurricanes and other high wind conditions. Euro-Wall offers products for residential and commercial applications. Their Florida Product Approved folding door systems are more durable and have more options to choose from than any other competitor on the market.

Euro-Wall Vista-Fold

Our technical, estimating, project management, and installation teams are prepared to support your project needs with these quality space management and fire & life safety products as well as any of our Div. 9, 11, & 12 products – athletic equipment, athletic floorings, and spectator seating.

In addition to design, budget, and installation services our team provides, we service and maintain all our product offerings to make sure that they last their lifetime. We stand behind our manufacturers and the quality products they create.  

Contact SSE directly at 800-644-8875 or visit our website for more information on our products at www.sseteam.com. You may also contact us via email at info@sseteam.com

With Good Reason, Gerflor Taraflex Chosen for Orange County Convention Center

Earlier this summer, Gerflor USA’s Taraflex line of vinyl flooring was chosen as the new flooring for the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando for the 25th Annual Youth Basketball of America (YBOA) Championship Games. The OCCC selected 16 portable Taraflex courts for the tournament. With the contract, Taraflex had secured the largest vinyl-floor installation in the world for basketball.

According to event organizers, the events welcomed more than 10,000 visitors and 300 teams daily during its June 29-July 12 day run. Check out the installation video recently posted that showcases the impressive installation project.

When the selection was announced, Gerflor USA’s CEO, Benjamin Bachman, spoke about the selection.

“According to Safe Kids Worldwide, more than 46.5 million youth participate in sports each year in the United States,” said Bachman. “It’s very important that flooring provides excellent safety characteristics to young players, so we’re honored that the OCCC chose Gerflor to accommodate the nearly 50,000 spectators and athletes…during the YBOA Championship Games.”

Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment understands the value of Gerflor’s Taraflex; that’s why we’ve been installing it in gyms, professional spaces, and recreational facilities across the Southeast for years. We’re proud to be a certified installer for the legendary vinyl flooring.

Did you know? Taraflex has been used since 1975 in the Summer Olympic Games, and is well known as the preferred flooring provider to NCAA athletic programs and youth sports associations across America, according to the company. What’s more, Gerflor has been producing synthetic flooring since 1947, and to date, more than 300 million square feet of Taraflex has been installed worldwide, making it the world’s leading indoor sports flooring.

There are many advantages to having Taraflex flooring installed in your facility, particularly in heavy traffic areas or in spaces that have many constantly moving furniture or structures.

For one, Taraflex can be easily cleaned and doesn’t require polishing or waxing; it’s stain-resistant, too. And, an antimicrobial floor treatment can be added to Taraflex, which is extremely important in spaces in which children are in close contact with one another.

OCCC considered Taraflex’s excellent levels of safety and playability, too, as it selected its new vinyl flooring for recent YBOA Championship Games. What makes for good playability? Among others are ball bounce, shock absorption, and the right amount of grip and slide.

These are just a few of the reason’s Gerflor’s Taraflex is the world leader in vinyl flooring. If you’re looking for beautiful flooring in your public space that can withstand high traffic and doesn’t need to be waxed or polished, you’re wise to consider Taraflex.

Call us at Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment today at 1-800-644-8875 to discuss all your flooring options, including Gerflor’s Taraflex. We’ll help you find the perfect solution.

Bleacher, backstop and floor graphics and colors pump up team spirit in gyms across America

We’ve Got Spirit, Yes We Do! We’ve Got Spirit to Share with You! (We’re so excited about spiriting-up your school’s gymnasium, we just had to cheer the news!)

Did you know that school mascots, colors, branding elements, and logos can be added to nearly every surface of a gymnasium by the team of professionals at Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment (SSE)? It’s true; there’s no limit to the possibilities!

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Uninspiring wood bleacher systems are a thing of the past, thanks to our partnership with Hussey Seating – our partner in seating solutions. The market leader in using technology to revolutionize today’s school environments, Hussey has developed several products that the SSE team uses to transform gyms around the Southeast. Hussey’s Xtreme Graphic Logo products permanently bond full-color artwork to seat modules, creating an impressively large mosaic. Or, choose Block Logos for an economical way to bring the spirit to a gym’s bleacher system.

But the opportunities don’t stop there. Through SSE, gyms can be even more customized with Hussey’s courtside seat logos, court signs, step signs, full-bleed graphic-end curtains, colored rails and more.

What about backstops? We have them covered, too. Basketball backstops can be customized with team or branding colors through SSE’s partnership with Performance Sports Systems. The SSE team powder coats Performance Sports Systems’ ceiling-hung, portable or wall-mounted backstops to match the desired theme. And not to be outdone – wall pads can be adorned with customized logos and graphics, too!

But don’t stop at bleachers and backstops – floors can be showstoppers, too. SSE’s expert design and installation managers are pros at creating and installing floor graphics for use on sports-arena floors, gymnasium floors, hallways, fitness-center floors, recreation-center graphics, arena steps and concourse walkways.  From basketball-center court logos to sponsor-ad graphics along the sidelines, the possibilities are limitless under your feet.

As fall sports begin full-fledged planning and practicing mode this summer, it may just be the perfect time to deck your gym with SPIRIT. Contact Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment online or at 1-800-644-8875 for insight as to how your spirited gym can become a reality.

SSE replaces flooring in 23 Fulton County School gyms

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Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment, 5485 Hedgewick Way, Cumming, Ga., recently completed an unprecedented floor-installation project in the Fulton County School District, and the students and faculty of the transformed elementary schools already are feeling the impact.

SSE installed new flooring in the gymnasiums of nearly two dozen Fulton County elementary schools, giving several historic buildings a new lease on life and the schools’ athletic programs renewed energy. The massive undertaking had Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment’s staff removing carpet in the facilities and installing 110,000 square feet of Sport M Plus flooring, a product of Taraflex/Gerflor. The flooring is known for its optimal safety and 35-percent shock absorption benefits.

“We are very pleased with the gym installation project,” said Dunwoody Springs Elementary School Principal Ivy Freeman. “The transformation from dirty, outdated carpeting to the beautiful new floors is incredible. The space looks much larger and we’re proud to show it off to our students and parents. We will be able to use the gym for so many more events now…”

“What a difference!” said Jacqueline Jones, Physical Education Teacher at Love T. Nolan Elementary School. “The entire school was so excited to see that the carpet had finally been removed,” said Jones. “Our gym looks so much larger and brighter. What’s more, it smells good!”

Schools in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Chattahoochee Hills, College Park, East Point, Fairburn, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Palmetto, Roswell, Sandy Springs and Union City received the installations. Schools with the new flooring are:

• Heritage Elementary, College Park
• M.M. Bethune Elementary, College Park
• S.L .Lewis Elementary, College Park
• Love T. Nolan Elementary, College Park
• Oakley Elementary, Union City
• Liberty Point Elementary, Union City
• Renaissance Elementary, Fairburn
• A. Phillip Randolph Elementary, Atlanta
• Hamilton E Holmes Elementary, East Point
• Conley Hills Elementary, East Point
• Parklane Elementary, East Point
• Woodland Elementary, Sandy Springs
• Dunwoody Springs Elementary, Sandy Springs
• Barnwell Elementary, Johns Creek
• State Bridge Crossing Elementary, Johns Creek
• Wilson Creek Elementary, Johns Creek
• Findley Oaks Elementary, Johns Creek
• Abbotts Hill Elementary, Johns Creek
• Hembree Springs Elementary, Roswell
• Roswell North Elementary, Roswell
• Mountain Park Elementary, Roswell
• Sweet Apple Elementary, Roswell
• Summit Hill Elementary, Alpharetta

“We are delighted to have earned the trust and confidence of Fulton County Schools by being selected to perform this complex, fast-track project,” said Mark Stemple of SSE’s office in Cumming, Ga., who managed the project. “The revamping of these 23 schools will greatly affect the ability of the school system to continue to offer their students the highest-quality facilities for their physical education programs.”

Added Stemple: “It has truly been our pleasure to be such an integral part of this massive undertaking. Our congratulations to Fulton County Schools for their vision and dedication to their students.”

Fulton County is the fourth-largest school district system in Georgia, where nearly 95,000 students attend classes in 58 elementary schools, 19 middle schools, 15 high schools and six charter schools.

Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment named sole Florida representative of Hussey Seating Company

Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment (SSE) recently was selected as the sole Florida sales representative of Hussey Seating Company, making our mother-daughter owned business in Southeast Volusia County the exclusive representative of the sixth generation, Maine-based corporation!

Hussey Seating Company sells and services its products internationally, and its extensive line includes telescopic platforms with bleachers or chairs, indoor and outdoor fixed seating, portable seats, fixed learning and healthcare seating systems, and bleacher covers.

According to our own Tracie Ward, President of SSE, our company was chosen as Hussey’s Florida representative based on its distribution capacity and personal interviews with the SSE leadership. Because of the new partnership with Hussey Seating Company, our full-service department also will create a Hussey Service Center in the Sunshine State.  As with our other products, SSE can install new Hussey products or upgrade existing Hussey installations, and we have the ability to bring older bleachers, even those not manufactured by Hussey, up to current code.

Tim Hussey, president and CEO of Hussey Seating Company said: “We are excited that Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment will be representing Hussey in the state of Florida. SSE’s expertise in installation and service, along with their customer-centric focus, are a perfect fit for the quality and service that Hussey seating is known for.”

Partnering with Hussey Seating Company is an honor for us! Being able to bring the full line of high-quality Hussey products to customers throughout Florida not only takes our product offerings to the next level, but also will enhance facilities around Florida beyond measure, according to Sonya Eggerton, our CEO.

Opened in 1835, Hussey Seating Company is one of the 50th oldest family businesses in America. Six generations of Hussey family members have been at the helm of the organization, with its sixth-generation leaders — Tim Hussey, Tom Hussey and John Hussey — currently working in the business. Additionally, several members of the family’s seventh generation work in the business during the summer.

Hussey’s recent installations include Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, Barry University, the University of Florida O’Connell Center, Tampa Convention Center, and Disney Ballpark in Orlando, home of Braves’ spring training. Visit www.husseyseating.com to learn more.

Beautifying Your Facility’s Wood Floors: Sanding, Refinishing and Beyond

The advantages of professional drum sanding on hardwood floors

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When you’re looking to refinish hardwood floors in your facility, you’re wise to leave the project to the professionals. Many of us know someone who has attempted to sand or refinish their own hardwood floors, and it’s likely, too, that large facilities with impressive square footage could be included in that unfortunate number. Why do we say, “unfortunate”? We say it because all too often, the results of drum sanding, when amateurs are behind the handle, are far from perfect.

While drum-sanding is a common way to refinish wood floors, without the right technique drum-sanding can become a process that leaves floors with waves and marks that can be difficult to remove.

Often, rental floor sander machines can be bulky and difficult to handle for those unexperienced in using them. Most equipment includes sanding, edging, and buffing features, not unlike the professional equipment used by Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment (SSE). But hiring a professional to refinish your facility’s hardwood floors saves you time, and most importantly, the potential headache of uneven, unsightly floors. To achieve a smoother, more even, and better quality finish, leave it to us!

Of course, one of the most important elements that dictate the results of professional drum sanding is the quality of the wood itself. To that end, SSE partners with Action Floor systems of Wisconsin, whose premium solid hardwood maple floors are known worldwide for performance and durability. If you’re in the market for a new flooring surface, give us a call to learn more about your options through SSE.

Beyond the basics

Some of the most visually stunning work conducted by the professionals at Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment is the court-centered logos and colorful graphics that serve as the centerpieces for many facility flooring projects. Logos, graphics and color blocking are available on most of the wood, vinyl, and PVC/rubber flooring products SSE installs and services.

While many projects call for stenciled logos, Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment also works with artists who create spectacular, colorful work beyond the limitations of the stencil process. Most recently, the SSE team brought to life a Florida university’s dream for a full-court design: A beach scene that stretched to all four corners of the competition court. The result was proof of the creative vision and resources available through SSE – a full-service sports equipment and flooring company.

Florida International University’s new basketball court

While Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment is an expert source for floor logos and floor designs, our design resources far exceed the norm. SSE recently conducted a phenomenal basketball court makeover at the home of the Golden Panthers: Florida International University in Miami. After months of plan-writing and schematic-drawing, we can now unveil one of the most impressive court-flooring designs the state has ever seen.

The first step of the process was drum-sanding the well-worn hardwood flooring of the Panthers’ Recreation Center. Once the floor was stripped of its polyurethane coats and refinished, it was time to realize its full-court theme.

The school’s basketball court refinishing project included a custom hand-painted design, which was brought to life by SSE’s Project Team. SSE’s work encapsulated the Golden Panthers’ vision, as its basketball program prepares its move from the Sunbelt Conference to Conference USA in late 2013.

While the new design comes with standard college-basketball court markings and a center logo, SSE’s hand-painted art fills the court from corner to corner. Its full beach design is topped with an approaching wave, and marked with palm tree fronds that envelope its two lower corners.

If you’re in the market for a custom floor design, stenciled graphics may be your perfect solution. But, there’s no need to limit yourself! The team of experts at SSE has resources beyond that process, too – resources that may bring your vision to life, and beyond your dreams.

Call us today to learn more about the custom-designed floor artwork available with Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment.

The Best Care for your Synthetic Flooring

At Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment, we take every step possible to help our customers understand how best to care for their new flooring and help preserve its life. Plus, if they ever need a deeper clean, our customers can count on us to provide that service, too.

Take a look at our video and get a glimpse at how beautiful your professionally installed synthetic flooring can be with proper maintenance and care.

Operable Partitions: Modernfold Continues as Innovative Leader with Acousti-Seal® Encore™

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Many businesses, churches, schools and hospitality venues across America have found that operable partitions are incredibly flexible solutions to making the most of interior spaces. For some, it means creating quiet spaces in the midst of chaos. For others, it means creating a space that, in turn, can earn more revenue for the enterprise.

There’s been an impressive development in the world of operable partitions, and Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment wants to be the first to tell you about it.

You may well know that operable partitions make for fast and easy room dividers. A longtime favorite of businesses that are expanding or are in need varied spaces and more places, versatile operable partitions are quality solutions that can solve a multitude of space division needs.

Over the years, one of the challenges for operable partitions manufacturers like Modernfold™ is effectively stopping or significantly muffling sounds that travels through them. Modernfold’s new Acousti-Seal® Encore™ operable partitions have an impressive acoustical performance, known as level 56 STC. In short, no comparable product in the marketplace today equals this product’s sound resistance. Plus, with automatic operation features, and a foolproof sound seal, these systems are as versatile as the spaces they divide. Modernfold’s Acousti-Seal® Encore™ panels also are available in fabric, vinyl, carpet, primed steel and custom finishes.

Modernfold™ offers many space-division options, and Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment delivers all of them. Included in the product line are glass wall systems, accordion doors, and accessories for the products, such as pass-through doors, pocket doors, and customized hardware and trims. Now with Modernfold’s STC 56 industry-leading rating, the most effective resistance to sound transmission in North America is available to you, your business, or your organization through Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment.

Please contact us at 1-800-644-8875 for information or to arrange an appointment. Our expert team can arrange a presentation, group meeting, or lunch and learn focusing on your upcoming project or specific products, including those by Modernfold™. With the possibility of installing operable walls and movable partitions, you may find that a little creativity is all you need to make better use of your space.

How to choose a flooring company

Apopka Boys and Girls Club Reading Center gets new finishes, sponsored by the Orlando Magic.

You know by now that Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment does a lot more than install flooring, but flooring continues to be one of our most popular product lines. When installing wood, rubber, or PVC flooring, projects that necessitate quality products and a professional team, we want to help you be certain you’re taking the steps to maximum the value for your investment.

Perhaps you’re on the fence about choosing a flooring company, so how do you choose the best one for your needs? We at Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment have been in this business for years, and we know there are several things customers are looking for when it comes to flooring installation. From quality, price, reputation and customer service, to terms and conditions that cover the transaction and the support team, there are several factors that play into what really makes a flooring company the best choice.

First, let’s talk about quality and price; we know both to be huge factors in choosing a flooring installer and servicer. While choosing a flooring company is an important economic decision in the short term, it’s also important decision with regard to the lifetime of the facility in which it’s being installed. Research the quality of the materials the company sells and installs. Ask your representative for references to whom you can ask, “What’s the quality of installations this company has performed?”  Remember that a poorly installed floor, while it might appear like a well-done undertaking initially, can become a long-term cost issue.

Find out from the company if they invest in the latest tools and equipment. And, what do they do to guarantee product standards? For example, Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment buys products in bulk and warehouses them, thereby buying products directly from the manufacturer and becoming a distributor. By being a distributor, Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment ensures product quality, and in turn, saves cost for the end-user.

Next, research the reputation and customer service of the company you’re considering hiring. Refer back to those references, and ask questions about the details of the company’s service. How efficiently did the team work, and were the products installed properly? How did the company handle concerns or complaints? Consider looking for reviews about the company online, too. Can you find positive reviews, or are you seeing negative ones?

Understand the terms and conditions that cover the transaction you are about to embark upon.  Before you sign, understand the product warranties, the contract terms, and verify that the product you receive is the product that you expected.

Another important aspect of hiring a flooring company is the team behind it, including sales and installation. Do you have a sales person specifically assigned to your account who is readily and openly answering your questions? Are the company installers certified and professionally trained?

Another tip: Make sure the installers are employees and not subcontractors. Of course, to protect you and your company, make sure the flooring company is insured and bonded, too. If they are, they often provide quality guarantees and extended service.

These are just a few things to keep in mind as you research a flooring company. We hope you’ll include Southeastern Surfaces & Equipment in your options, of course, but no matter who you choose, remember that the company you call upon should be ready and willing to answer your questions. That way, you’ll have a better chance at getting the most from your investment today and for years to come.