The floor of the new St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center has been recognized by a panel of industry experts as literally world class after it won in the Sports Surfaces category in the 2020 Sikafloor Project of the Year awards.
These industry awards, which date to 2015, recognize projects for the best devotion to quality, craftsmanship and innovative solutions.
The 74,000-square-foot multi-purpose space includes eight volleyball courts, a running track, soccer training space and fitness and rehabilitation space. A state-of-the art fitness laboratory, classroom space and faculty offices for Schoolcraft College’s Associate Degree program in Movement Science also share the facility.
The volleyball courts and running track, which is approximately 1/7 mile around, are part of the 46,000 square feet that required the expert installation of a Sika Pulastic synthetic sports surface system by Robbins Sports, a long-time Sika partner.
Jordan Foster, President of Foster Specialty Floors, said a key element of the floor and a big benefit to users is the Comfort Pro pad.
“This pad delivers a shock absorption rating of 32%, which far exceeds most other products that are rated between 20 and 25%,” he said. “That equates to significantly less wear and tear on the athletes at the St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center when they are using this floor system.
“One of the leading causes of injuries in sports is muscle fatigue. This floor system will help your athletes perform longer and at a reduced risk to injury because of the added performance this floor delivers compared to a standard synthetic sports floor.”
The St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center is the western suburban home of the Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy, one of the finest organizations of its type in the country.
“The floor at Schoolcraft is the single largest installation of Pulastic Comfort Pro 110 in North America,” Foster said. “That makes this site the only place that can host eight games at one time on this single high-performance floor system.
“That gives a huge benefit to the athletes as it ensures that from practices, to games, to tournaments, the athletes who use this floor will be able to have a consistent and uniform playing surface from start to finish. That again plays into reduced risks of fatigue and injury as they gain the benefit of muscle memory and consistent playing surfaces.”
Rental opportunities exist for volleyball, pickleball, soccer or a variety of other sport or activity uses. Call 734-462-4348 for more details or for more information about the Schoolcraft Fitness Center.