Georgia Tech’s Basketball Practice Facility Gets High Tech with Aacer Flooring

PR Log (Press Release) – Oct 23, 2009 – Aacer Flooring Vice President of Sales and Marketing Kevin Barker announced today, the Georgia Tech athletics department unveiled its brand new men’s and women’s basketball practice facility this past week with season-opening practices. The the installation of Aacer Power Sleeper SE sets a new standard for the ACC.

“Once again, another great program selects Aacer as their preferred surface. Aacer is proud to be part of the Universities newest facility on campus. Our patented flooring technology will be working everyday hand in hand with the athletes and coaches to provide the best experience possible” Barker said. “Aacer is also leading the charge in environmental awareness and was able to assist the university who was seeking to achieve LEED certification for exemplary environmentally-responsible construction practices.” The maple flooring used for the practice floors is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, part of the Rain Forest Alliance.

Georgia Tech men’s and women’s coaching staff and players are thrilled with the quality and performance of the floors and facility. Men’s head basketball coach Paul Hewitt said “we love the floors they are beautiful and my kids love it” Hewitt went on to say “the project was well done and we could not be more happy with the floor selection”
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Spurred by a lead gift from Steve and Judy Zelnak, the facility was built at a cost of $8 million and was opened in time for the beginning of pre-season practice last week. Zelnak is chairman, president and chief executive officer of Martin Marietta Materials in Raleigh, N.C., and a current member of the Georgia Tech Advisory Board. The Zelnak Center  includes 24,000 sqft  court with eight baskets, a 24-seat theater for video instruction and a 2,500-square-foot weight room. Heery International was the architect for the project and the floor was installed by Aacer-accredited installer SSDC Incorporated out of Sandersville, GA.

About Aacer Flooring:
Aacer Flooring is the world leader in maple performance sports flooring systems. A family and employee-owned company with more than 100 years experience in every part of the wood flooring industry.  Aacer manufactures sports performance floor systems designed to accommodate athletes at all levels of play. Aacer also produces ten species of northern hardwood in a variety of face widths and grades in a LEED certified environmentally controlled facility.  Being a proud owner of their own timberland, Aacer protects the environment by involving themselves as members of the FSC, MFMA, NWFA, and USGBC.

Aacer’s floor systems are showcased around the world and in the Basketball Hall of Fame where the history and future of sports floors are prominently displayed.