tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87456170146163936772024-03-13T12:18:14.207-07:00Floor Guardian Gym Floor Protection<b>Learn about how a Floor Guardian flooring protection system can allow you to make needed money by being able to rent out your hall or gym for weddings, ceremonies and events.</b>Floor Guardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08769628069467694093noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745617014616393677.post-75226972210744651902014-10-17T11:00:00.002-07:002014-11-05T10:34:47.060-08:00Hobart and William Smith Colleges are now protecting their floors with FloorGuardian<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hobart and William Smith Colleges was </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">told that their beautiful maple floors in their <span style="background-color: white;">Bristol Field house could no longer be refinished any longer they then decided to extend its life to the maximum by switching from their old tarps to a new FloorGuardian gym floor protection system. By making the switch they are proving that they are a much "greener" college since FloorGuardian is made 100% from recycled pop and water bottles and extending the life of their floor. Double bonus. Besides the environmental advantages, the gym is now much more acoustically warmer and much more attractive for non sporting events. And as an added bonus they will no longer be purchasing boxes and boxes of sticky tape to hold those old tarps down since FloorGuardian exclusively uses Velcro instead. Why settle for second best? Start with a FloorGuardian gym floor protection system and never worry about your floors again.</span></span><br />
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Floor Guardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08769628069467694093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745617014616393677.post-82496254787042625002012-07-29T12:03:00.002-07:002012-07-29T12:03:31.778-07:00Grace Chapel knows how to protect their floor while and smoothing the acoustics too.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We recently finished covering Grace Chapels beautiful new gym addition to their 104k sq. ft. church. this new addition provides a wonderful space for the kid to exercise and compete in sports. The new floor covering provided by Floor Guardian will offer years of service protecting their new floors while offering excellent buffering of sound during sermons and concerts. </div>Floor Guardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08769628069467694093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745617014616393677.post-91664018889693817472012-03-22T10:52:00.000-07:002012-03-22T10:52:10.287-07:00FloorGuardian now offering a line of tools including Roll up machines<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1voY_M5a9M/T2tmqO-Xh-I/AAAAAAAAAEY/ghWyDr1Ixgw/s1600/GEDC0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1voY_M5a9M/T2tmqO-Xh-I/AAAAAAAAAEY/ghWyDr1Ixgw/s320/GEDC0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>FloorGuardian has made the task of removing the FloorGuardian Floor protector almost labor free. We now offer a complete line of tools include velcro rollup devices and roll up machines for both Convention Centers and Gyms. The machines can roll up both the 6' and 9' wide goods up to 250' lengths. Now installing and removing the flooring can be a no lift operation. </div>Floor Guardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08769628069467694093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745617014616393677.post-49619281756305912132012-03-21T14:08:00.000-07:002012-03-21T14:08:44.603-07:00Abernathy Texas ISD<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CQ-gt4vGU28/T2pDQCvfCiI/AAAAAAAAAEI/p3G8lWPXpnE/s1600/GEDC0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CQ-gt4vGU28/T2pDQCvfCiI/AAAAAAAAAEI/p3G8lWPXpnE/s320/GEDC0007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFWcELOyrOU/T2pDSiQVe6I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/Q3qLcweUB6E/s1600/GEDC0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFWcELOyrOU/T2pDSiQVe6I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/Q3qLcweUB6E/s320/GEDC0027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>FloorGuardian installed a new floor protection system for the new Gym in Abernathy Texas. The new facility has a beautiful hardwood basketball court with some very custom logos that they wanted to protect. FloorGuardian provided a custom fit covering that will last for many years with zero ongoing costs as compared to the tarp systems and the expensive rolls of sticky tape that must be used with every setup. Great facilities staff made installing the covering a joy.</div>Floor Guardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08769628069467694093noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745617014616393677.post-48341032224223947332011-07-07T08:47:00.000-07:002011-11-29T10:17:34.141-08:00Sugar Land Texas Park and Recreation Center go Green!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tcgk660Zvms/ThXUoxhbWzI/AAAAAAAAADI/BgKb5LxFt0M/s1600/IMG_20110628_200338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tcgk660Zvms/ThXUoxhbWzI/AAAAAAAAADI/BgKb5LxFt0M/s640/IMG_20110628_200338.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The Sugar Land Texas Park and Recreation Center took a giant step in being green with the purchase of a new Floor Guardian floor covering. Instead of tossing giant wads of wasted sticky tape after every use, they opted to to go green instead. Using re-usable Velcro seaming tape instead of sticky tape and having a base product that is made from recycled pop and water bottles, the City of Sugar Land made the choice to help the environment while also having a very classy looking floor covering that will last for years. </div>Floor Guardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08769628069467694093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745617014616393677.post-72726218496338438892010-06-09T07:22:00.000-07:002010-06-09T17:23:28.092-07:00The Gila River Indian Community is now protecting their new gym floor with a portable floor protection system from Floor GuardianBlackwater, AZ. - The Gila River Indian Recreation Center in Blackwater Arizona is the latest installation site for the Floor Guardian gym floor protection system. Their beautiful new recreation center now has flooring protection for both the stage and basketball court. Being environmentally green while looking great were both reason why they chose Floor Guardian versus a plastic tarp system. They can now expect to reduce the cost of ownership of their hardwoods while beautifying their events at the same time for many, many years to come. Floor Guardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08769628069467694093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745617014616393677.post-27047850644711525792010-04-28T18:49:00.000-07:002010-06-16T09:12:26.446-07:00Floor Guardian is proud to announce our latest installation at Coppin State University<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nGOocdLnkpI/S9jld9hzVfI/AAAAAAAAACE/gXAF96nm8mE/s1600/CIMG0662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nGOocdLnkpI/S9jld9hzVfI/AAAAAAAAACE/gXAF96nm8mE/s640/CIMG0662.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nGOocdLnkpI/S9jlZyFLFKI/AAAAAAAAAB8/Zp4MwbxrxvI/s1600/CIMG0685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nGOocdLnkpI/S9jlZyFLFKI/AAAAAAAAAB8/Zp4MwbxrxvI/s640/CIMG0685.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Floor Guardian completed another floor protection system installation, this time it was 22,000 sq. ft. at Coppin State University in Baltimore, MD. Their brand new athletic facility now has a Floor Guardian hardwood protection system protecting their state of the art gym floor. The first event held on the new flooring was a memorial to Dorothy Height the civil rights pioneer attended by over 300 attendees. Seating, tables and a stage were all installed without damage to the new gym floor. Events like this are a good way to show case your facilities to future students and others.Floor Guardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08769628069467694093noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745617014616393677.post-47219502067666113392010-02-25T10:06:00.000-08:002010-02-25T10:06:21.429-08:00Plastic Tarps cause more damage than they are worthIf you have ever had to deal with a plastic tarp system you know exactly the damage that a tarp system can cause. You drag the tarp off of the cart and pull the tarp to the other side of the gym. Along the way, every piece of grit is pulled along too, scratching and marring up your gym floor. And then once installed you have to deal with the slick surface and the trip hazard that comes along with it. And they offer very little protection from high heels while looking like a painters tarp. A bad solution all the way around. <br />
Floor Guardian offers several products that resolves these issues. Our product are rolled out instead of being pulled across the surface. Eliminating the marring and surface scratches caused by plastic tarps. We also offer actual floor protection since our product is much more like carpet versus a painters tarp. No wasted rolls of tape after every event, we use re-usable velcro that will last the life of the covering. <br />
So, instead of a bride having her reception on a tarp, she can have it on a classy covering that is safe and easy to use.Floor Guardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08769628069467694093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745617014616393677.post-21955572447333058782009-09-16T09:21:00.000-07:002009-09-16T09:21:32.837-07:00Floor Guardian announces British Floor Guardian for the UKFloor Guardian is a lightweight, quick and easy<br />
to use floor covering designed to enhance a<br />
facility while providing protection for expensive<br />
sports halls and other floors when not being used<br />
for their primary purpose or extending the life of<br />
your existing floor.<br />
British Floor Guardian is the only floor<br />
covering that is recommended and fully<br />
endorsed for use with Junckers Flooring this is<br />
an important point in maintaining the warranty<br />
on a new sports hall floor.<br />
Sports halls or court hire fees generally do not<br />
cover operating costs. Over recent years the non<br />
sporting nature of many facilities has led to changes<br />
in the programming to include “special events”<br />
which cater for much higher number of visitors.<br />
There are many different uses for Floor Guardian<br />
which enable facilities to capture new markets<br />
and increase income.<br />
From a squash court to large indoor sports halls<br />
and every thing in between.Visit our websites for<br />
pictures of our latest installations.<br />
Possible income generators, Children’s parties,<br />
Weddings, dances,Birthday celebrations, seminars,<br />
exhibitions, meetings, cat dog and rabbit shows,<br />
indoor boot fayres, table top sales, temporary stage<br />
shows including wrestling, boxing tournaments.<br />
Other uses, Emergency rest centres, School and<br />
further education examination venue, polling<br />
stations, and election counts.<br />
A number of venues are requesting Floor Guardian<br />
under peace time civil contingencies to use as<br />
temporary flooring where they are designated as<br />
PeaceTime Emergency Rest Centre’s not only to<br />
protect their floors, but make them more<br />
welcoming and environmentally friendly.<br />
NEWfor 2008 – Floor Guardian is made here in<br />
the UK by a major manufacturer under licence<br />
from Floor Guardian USA which holds the patent<br />
for this product.<br />
British Floor Guardian is only available through<br />
British Flooring Contract Services Ltd and is not<br />
manufactured for anybody else.<br />
Another important development is the fact we are<br />
now incorporating Perma Fresh fibres within the<br />
floor covering which is exclusive within the<br />
British Floor Guardian range of sports hall and<br />
leisure products.<br />
Perma fresh is a microband fibre which is anti<br />
bacterial and prevents fungi or mould growth this<br />
makes its use particularly suitable for Asthmatics<br />
and suitable for all customers to participate in<br />
exercise classes yoga,Pilates or any other activities<br />
such as first aid training where participants may be<br />
required to lay on the floor.<br />
British Floor Guardian are able to supply purpose<br />
made storage/carry bags making it easy to move<br />
and store. We recommend and supply<br />
RugDoctor Pro and RugDoctor carpet cleaning<br />
& maintenance products.<br />
We also sell CLASSMATE which is an acoustic<br />
and thermal wall insulation product, which also<br />
acts as a useful notice board.<br />
This product has been very successful in Leisure<br />
Centres and Schools as it reduces reverberated and<br />
transmitted noise.<br />
Areas of application: Sports halls run off areas,<br />
meeting rooms, corridors, hall ways, class room<br />
walls, libraries, computer rooms, lecture theatres,<br />
staff rooms,music rooms, etc.Floor Guardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08769628069467694093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745617014616393677.post-25746106478946458342009-09-03T12:32:00.000-07:002009-09-04T14:02:40.758-07:00The Importance Of Gym Floor Covers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nGOocdLnkpI/SqAZpOGJEiI/AAAAAAAAABI/lqrZ7kcnhY8/s1600-h/Boeing02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nGOocdLnkpI/SqAZpOGJEiI/AAAAAAAAABI/lqrZ7kcnhY8/s400/Boeing02.jpg" /></a></div><h1 align="center">The Importance Of Gym Floor Covers</h1><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Extending the life of a gym floor is important no matter what sport is played on it. Therefore, covering up the floor when holding non-athletic events is critical. Whether it’s a concert, dance or graduation having a cover over the floor not only reduces the maintenance the floor will need, but also extends its life.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: ">Three things are important to consider when choosing a cover for your floor: the kinds of events that will take place, how often the event will take place, and your budget. Covers can get worn, so the more frequently you plan on using your cover, the more you should consider aspects like withstanding wear and tear and acquiring a warranty when choosing your cover.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">The last factor to consider when choosing a cover is the color. Covers come in many different colors. This feature can allow schools to show their spirit by selecting their school’s colors, or a more polished look can be taken by matching the color of the floor.</span></div>Floor Guardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08769628069467694093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745617014616393677.post-71500693951203726172009-09-03T09:00:00.000-07:002009-09-03T12:32:54.491-07:00Gym Floor Covers are great for the environment too.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nGOocdLnkpI/Sp_p0jF7OII/AAAAAAAAABA/-9V8O2-Phfo/s1600-h/bottletoyarn.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nGOocdLnkpI/Sp_p0jF7OII/AAAAAAAAABA/-9V8O2-Phfo/s400/bottletoyarn.gif" /></a></div><b>Gym Floor Covers are great for the environment too.</b> <br />
<br />
If your facility has a gym and you need more space for meetings, banquets, graduations or you would like to rent out the gym as a source of additional revenue, take a look at our gym floor covers. The perfect answer to increasing the usable space of your facility! <br />
<br />
Refinishing your floors is not getting any cheaper and the finishes that you are allowed to use don't last as long, so you are spending more and more trying to maintain your investment in your hardwood floors. Why not protect them while increasing your ability to rent these spaces out? Only Floor Guardian can protect against high heels, stage setups and table. The fancy painters tarps that our competitors sell, just don't work, pose a tripping hazard and are un-sightly. <br />
<br />
<br />
Floor Guardian is different than the old fashioned vinyl or plastic covers that have been used for years. Floor Guardian is a luxurious Berber covering that is made out a very readily available recycled source, plastic water bottles. <br />
<br />
It is not a carpet but a very tough Berber carpet looking material made out of a light weight plastic polyester also know as P.E.T. <br />
<br />
That’s right, the same material that all of the millions of water bottles are made out of. In fact you may have one of those water bottles sitting on your desk as you read this web site. Just think of that same bottle instead of taking up space in a landfill, being recycled and turned into a beautiful and extremely durable floor cover. <br />
Floor Guardian will provide far more protection from chairs, tables, heels or equipment than any of the vinyl or plastic covers. Those covers are simply not thick enough to keep a ladies high heel or a chair leg from damaging the floor. <br />
<br />
With Floor Guardiant the material is thicker and inherently different than standard covers giving it superior dent, scratch and scrape protection over standard covers.Floor Guardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08769628069467694093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745617014616393677.post-44117515968655601052009-08-30T21:41:00.000-07:002009-08-30T21:41:51.711-07:00Most Gym Floor Covers are nothing more than fancy painters tarps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://floorguardian.com/Gonzaga01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://floorguardian.com/Gonzaga01.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>If you already have a tarp based cover system for your gym, you already know the hassles that come from owning it. The trip hazard from the wrinkles, the gunk that builds up from being taped together with each use and the unhappy customers that find out that their event is being held upon a painters tarp. Now there is a way to have an attractive gym floor cover. <a href="http://floorguardian.com/">Floor Guardian</a> offers a portable, removable, durable lightweight carpet based gym floor cover system. Made in the U.S.A. from recycled content and 100% recyclable at time of disposal, the Floor Guardian cover system eliminates the big balls of tape that have to thrown away after every use by incorporating a reusable Velcro tape seaming solution. Now you have an environmentally friendly way to cover and protect your gym floors so that that your gyms can be rented for other events such as meetings, registrations, graduations, parties and other events.Floor Guardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08769628069467694093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745617014616393677.post-28463092966276343302009-08-26T10:23:00.000-07:002009-08-26T10:29:44.797-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://floorguardian.com/FG-16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://floorguardian.com/FG-16.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="archive-title"> <h2>Race for the Rent<span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class=" on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Add_Image" title="Add Image" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="addImage();" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);;ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" class="gl_photo" border="0" /></span></span></h2></div> <div class="entry" id="entry-7666"> <div class="entry-content"> <div class="entry-body"> <p>Looking for some extra revenue in these tight times, many athletic departments are hanging a "for rent" sign on their facilities. Here's how to maximize the profit.</p></div> <div class="entry-more" id="more"> <p>By Mike Phelps</p> <p><em>Mike Phelps is an Assistant Editor at</em> Athletic Management. <em>He can be reached at: mp@MomentumMedia.com.</em></p> <p><br />On the campus of Vanderbilt University, Memorial Gymnasium serves as the proud home of the school's men's and women's basketball teams. It's where the men have won more than 78 percent of their contests, the women have been victorious 81 percent of the time, and "Memorial Magic" happens. According to legend, once the facility was completed, the basketball gods were so pleased that they slipped some magic dust in the overhead rafters, helping Vanderbilt to numerous late-game victories.</p> <p>But lately--magic dust notwithstanding--the facility has been so much more than a place to play basketball. In the past year, the gym has also hosted an HBO-televised boxing card, the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit Championships, and even a night of professional wrestling.</p> <p>While these aren't likely the types of events envisioned by the facility's creators when it was built in 1952, they're becoming increasingly necessary as high schools and colleges search for new revenue streams in a tough economic climate. "We want to maximize our revenue potential, so we're actively seeking opportunities for groups to rent our facilities," says Brock Williams, Vanderbilt's Assistant Vice Chancellor for Facilities and Game Management. "It's important to look at how you can use your facilities 365 days a year, rather than just a handful. We have a great basketball arena--what else can we do with it?"</p> <p>The thinking is similar at Centerville (Ohio) High School. Since installing an artificial turf field three years ago, the athletic department has brought in revenue by renting out its stadium for a wide variety of events, including state high school competitions, youth track meets, and charity fundraisers.</p> <p>"The opportunity to rent wasn't the impetus behind installing the new turf, but we certainly hoped it would bring in additional income," says Athletic Director Ron Ullery. "Once the turf was in, I drew up a rental policy for all of our facilities--not just the stadium--because we knew there would be interest."</p> <p>Renting out your arenas, fields, and stadiums, however, isn't as easy as just opening the gates and collecting checks. You need to make sure your facility is marketable, find groups to rent to, and negotiate deals. You also need to develop a contract and follow through to make sure every event goes smoothly.</p> <p><strong>MAKE IT MARKETABLE</strong><br />Renting a facility is no different than any other business transaction--you have to provide a desirable product that piques consumer interest. In this case, the product is your school's facility. How do you make it attractive to potential renters? </p> <p>The first step is to understand its uniqueness. Even if you don't see anything particularly special about your gym or field, it's probably one of only a few in your community. If it is in good shape and you show a willingness to partner with other groups, it can be home to many events that otherwise might go elsewhere or not happen at all.</p> <p>Whittier College, a small school nestled in the southeast corner of Los Angeles County, found that out after installing new turf in its stadium last summer. Rental business has grown steadily over the year and, in the upcoming months, the school will host a football camp sponsored by Nike and the Army Strong Fiesta Bowl, a high school football all-star game. Athletic Director Robert Coleman says he keeps getting the same type of response from renters: "Wow, this place is great. I didn't know it existed."</p> <p>"We're so busy running our athletic program, we don't have time to market the facility," Coleman says. "But when one group comes here and has a positive experience, they tell someone else, and eventually more and more people call to ask if they can use the facility."</p> <p>In Maryland, the Annapolis Area Christian School has had similar success renting out its Kilby Athletic Center, which houses an indoor turf field, a two-floor gymnasium, and a full second gym. "We have a product that not too many people have," says Assistant Athletic Director Ken Lucas. "We can take any kind of outdoor field team and bring them indoors whenever there's inclement weather. And we can run three basketball games simultaneously."</p> <p>Annapolis Area Christian has used two very simple strategies to market the space. "When we completed construction two years ago, we decided to conduct an open house, just to get the word out there," Lucas says. "We invited the community to come by and see the new facilities for themselves. We also keep a page on our school's Web site with photos of the facility and easy-to-find contact information for anyone who wants to rent."</p> <p>Hummer Sports Park is owned by the Topeka (Kan.) Unified School District 501 and consists of a football stadium with an eight-lane track, soccer stadium, two baseball fields, two softball fields, and a natatorium. Officials there also use the Web to get word out about rental opportunities. Its Web site has detailed information on how to book an event at the park, who to contact, and a handful of photos of each facility, so a potential renter knows exactly what they're dealing with.</p> <p>"Anyone can use our Web site to look at the stadium, look at the entire park, and get a feel for what we're about," says Rick Benke, Manager at Hummer Sports Park. "Plus, after every event we host, we update the site. You'll never find old news there."</p> <p>They also make sure the facility looks fabulous to potential renters. "We try to keep everything clean and in pristine shape," Benke says. "The fields are trimmed, mowed, and edged. The baseball diamonds are groomed and cut perfectly. The locker rooms and dugouts look great."</p> <p>Vanderbilt markets its facilities more aggressively, advertising in trade publications. "I think people look at trade magazines extensively for places to hold their events," Williams says. "They look for a facility that can accommodate crowds and vehicular traffic, as well as a venue that is comfortable, has good sightlines, and has a positive atmosphere. That's what we try to promote when we advertise." </p> <p>Williams says another part of marketing is being creative in the groups you target and rent to. Sure, there will always be local recreation departments, AAU teams, or other youth sports organizations, but what about the non-traditional groups? "I'm open to just about anything," he says. "I get all kinds of requests, and I'll consider every single one. Some are way out there and I can't accommodate them. But many are possible, such as concerts or high school band competitions. I've even been approached by a group that wants to do a fashion show."</p> <p>Annapolis Area Christian rents to a Boy Scout troop every year and to a pair of churches. "We've had an inquiry from a couple that was getting married and wanted to have their reception here," Lucas says. "We've tried to be creative and find new uses for our space that go beyond traditional boundaries."</p> <p><strong>MAKE A DEAL</strong><br />As anyone who manages a facility knows, overseeing its use for just your own school is a tough job. Adding outside groups to the mix requires another level of management. That's why it's critical to think through the logistics up front and put policies and procedures in writing. </p> <p>To start, be certain you have the support of your administration and the surrounding community before taking on renters. Vanderbilt's campus is located adjacent to a quiet neighborhood and it was important to alleviate any concerns that the school's arena would turn into a loud rock and roll venue. </p> <p>"I made sure to talk to others about this far in advance," Williams says. "I laid out the pros and cons regarding various issues, and we had open discussions."</p> <p>A policy should then be implemented establishing who has first rights to the facility. At most schools, in-house activities receive priority. "I'll never remove one of our school groups, no matter who else wants to rent," Ullery says. "That may cost us sometimes, but I think it's the right way to do it."</p> <p>Figuring out a clear and consistent procedure for pricing is next. At Centerville, Ullery's plan categorizes potential renters into five groups. The first two groups, Centerville community organizations whose activities are student-related and non-profit community groups benefiting a charity, community project, or school, are not charged for facility rentals. Ullery starts charging at the third group, which includes any community organization within the school district limits that wants to hold a fundraiser benefiting itself. Up one more level, with an increased charge, is a community group whose main function is making a profit, such as a local business. The final group, receiving the maximum charge, is any organization from outside the school district's borders. </p> <p>Another imperative is constructing a contract to be signed by any group using the facility. The contract should be developed by your school attorney and insist on proof of insurance from the renting group. </p> <p>From there, logistics should be discussed case by case, depending on the group's needs and what you're willing to supply. The key is reviewing everything with the renter. </p> <p>"Once we determine the dates they want to rent the facility, it's a matter of how much supervision is needed and who's going to be in charge of the cleanup of the facility," says Ullery. "We'll also go over all the guidelines for what areas of the stadium they have access to, such as the press box."</p> <p>"You have to be very specific, because on the day of the event, you don't want someone to look at you and say, 'I thought you were going to get us 50 chairs,'" Coleman says. "Make sure they put in writing exactly what they want and make that part of the contract."</p> <p>Coleman also alerts his campus security and the Whittier Police Department of any events at his facility, so it is properly covered and traffic problems can be alleviated. And he reviews any charges beyond use of the facility, such as custodial help, displaying video on the scoreboard, or access to tents and tables. </p> <p>Williams says he has learned to ask a lot of questions. "If the renter says they're going to bring in a lighting system, I ask them for more details on it so I can figure out whether our ceiling can handle the load," he says. "If you don't ask enough questions, you can get caught in a tight situation real quick: You had an expectation, the renter had another expectation, but you never made those clear to each other.</p> <p>"I've never had a problem with anybody when both sides were up front, honest, and to the point," Williams adds.</p> <p>Another good idea is to have any interested group make an on-site visit prior to signing the contract. "I don't want someone to simply say, 'I've seen your facility online. It's great,'" Coleman says. "I want them to come here and understand what they're really getting. We need to meet face to face."</p> <p>This is also a good time to give renters a lay of the land, so they'll know where everything is when it comes time for their event. "I'll take them on a quick tour of the areas that will affect them," Lucas says. "I want to make sure they're familiar with the locations of restrooms, janitorial closets, entrances and exits, and things like that."</p> <p><strong>MAKE IT HAPPEN</strong><br />Prior to Vanderbilt's hosting of the HBO-sponsored boxing card, Williams says he didn't sleep for two nights. He didn't anticipate anything going wrong, but kept going over checklists in his head, making sure everything was thought through. In the end, the event went off without a hitch, but Williams believes it's important to be prepared for anything that could happen, no matter how unlikely.</p> <p>"You may have a generator fail or another electrical problem," he says. "So you have to be prepared to address those things. You also have to keep a smile and a sense of humor about everything and move forward."</p> <p>Most schools have at least one representative present when a facility is being rented. "Depending on the size, we'll always have one to three supervisors on hand," Coleman says. "The biggest thing is having someone here on time, ready to work hard. You don't want the renter to get here and have the gate locked or the lights out. They're trying to run their event, so we should be taking care of all the other stuff."</p> <p>Benke tries to take care of all the little things that ensure the group has a positive experience--and decides to rent again in the future. "We always provide water for the teams that play here, whether it's on the track, in the baseball dugouts, or on the football sidelines," he says. "We put team names on the locker room doors and make sure we have carts by the busses to help bring equipment down to the fields."</p> <p>Taking care of guests doesn't have to be a lot of work, though. "We actually let our renters set up most things themselves," says Ullery. "They are happy to come in, put the nets on the field, and leave the place the way it was. I think when people drive into the stadium, they realize it's well taken care of, so they want to do the same thing in order to keep coming back."</p> <p><strong>AS A BONUS</strong><br />While the main incentive to rent out your facility might be based on dollar signs, there is another benefit. "It's been free advertising for the school," Lucas says. "You get people on campus who would otherwise have no reason to come here. From renting, we've gotten some interest in our school from parents who didn't know we were here."</p> <p>The secondary benefit theory has been working on overdrive for Vanderbilt during the past year. "I can't put a price tag on the exposure we got for the boxing matches," Williams says. "Time and time again on the television broadcast, the announcers said, 'We're here at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.' There may be a kid half way around the world who's never heard of Vanderbilt, but now is interested in checking it out. I see that as a huge positive. </p> <p>"But then again, we wouldn't be renting our facility unless we were making money," he continues. "With this economic crisis, anything that helps pay the bills is good."</p> <p><br />Sidebar: <strong>RENTING TO THE STARS</strong><br />While renting out your facility to many different groups is a great idea, partnering with one renter can sometimes work even better. Bedford (Ohio) High School has entered into an agreement this year with the Cleveland City Stars, a professional soccer team that competes in the United Soccer Leagues' First Division, one notch below Major League Soccer. </p> <p>The City Stars gain a home at Bedford's Bearcat Stadium, which provides seats for about 5,000 spectators, a two-level press box, and a 520-square foot scoreboard. Bedford gains cash and a relationship with a professional team.</p> <p>In negotiating the deal with the City Stars, Bedford Athletic Director Sean Jackson thought about several different options. The final contract gives Bedford 75 percent of all concession income during games plus a rental rate, while the City Stars get to keep their own ticket revenue but are responsible for security, police coverage, and a stand-by ambulance. Children in the city will be able to attend free soccer clinics, and students in the school district will be eligible for incentives, such as recognition during games for improved grades or superior attendance. </p> <p>The agreement also stipulates that Bearcat Stadium is first and foremost a school facility. "We have soccer and football at three levels and only so much field space," Jackson says, "so there are some days that the City Stars can't practice here. They fully understand that our kids come first, and their time comes second. It works for them because they want to have a connection with our community."</p> <p>Jackson sees the benefits of the deal extending far beyond dollars and cents. "There's also the publicity of having a professional soccer team here," he says. "A lot of people don't know about us, so this is a way to market our school."</p></div></div></div>Floor Guardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08769628069467694093noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745617014616393677.post-80579730566131693012009-08-24T18:00:00.000-07:002009-08-25T12:46:01.804-07:00Beautiful, functional, gym-floor protection<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nGOocdLnkpI/SpQ_CNgZKHI/AAAAAAAAAAw/LU-guzbLn5s/s1600-h/gunkedup.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nGOocdLnkpI/SpQ_CNgZKHI/AAAAAAAAAAw/LU-guzbLn5s/s320/gunkedup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373989562577660018" /></a><br />Every one has seen the plastic and vinyl tarpes that have been traditionally used to protect gym floors for years...But no one ever liked them!...They do not lay flat on the floor...they must be taped down at the seams....when the tape is removed it leaves a glue residu on the tarpe that attracts dirt...the tarps smell like vinyl plastis...they are heavy and hard to use ..especially on a rack that is difficult to store..tarps offer no cushion when tables and chairs are placed on them ..tarps offer no accoustic benifit..it is like having your event on a painters tarp!<br /><br />Now that I have given my opinion on vinyl and plastic tarps ..Let me tell you about Floor Guardian!!!<br />FLOOR GUARDIAN IS PLASTIC!!<br />But it is plastic yarn ,needle punched in a machine to look like Berber Carpet.<br />it is 1/4 inch thick to cushion the effect of table and chair legs and especially HIGH HEEL SHOE traffic from damaging the hardwood gym floor. And also is an effective accoustic barrier ,absorbing noise!<br />FLOOR GUARDIAN IS TAPED TOGETHER!<br />But with a re usable Velcro tape that lays smooth and flat on the surface to prevent tripping on the seams Floor Guardian can be viewed at www.floorguardian.comFloor Guardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08769628069467694093noreply@blogger.com0