Gerflor Taraflex Sport M+ flooring triumph

Gerflor's vinyl flooring triumphed over the traditional sprung timber alternative at Brickfields Sports Centre.

Brickfields Sports Centre is part of a multi-million pound project developed in partnership with the Devonport Regeneration Community Partnership and Plymouth City Council.

As well as a four-court sports hall, Brickfields needed suitable flooring for a fitness suite and dance studio as well as wet and dry dressing rooms.

Roddy McKenzie, contract administrator, Project Services, Asset Management, Plymouth City Council, said: "Initially, the client was keen on timber sprung flooring in the sports hall, but after deliberations concerning maintenance, durability and high volume football, they decided to switch attention to vinyl flooring".

Research was undertaken, with advice from technical experts at Sports England as well as Gerflor, before a decision was made to invest in Taraflex Sport flooring.

Technically-advanced and versatile, Taraflex Sport M+ offers the advantages of both point and area elastic qualities to ensure better ball performance in a sport like football, whereas for badminton players, its appeal lies in the ability for them to slide and absorb impacts when they jump to hit a shot.

This helps to reduce the risk of sports-related injuries, especially friction burns and shin splints.

Taraflex features Gerflor's Protecsol protection so no polishing is needed and the installation generated significant cost savings.

McKenzie said: "Using a single type of flooring throughout provided economies of scale as well as continuity and a consistent look to the leisure centre".

"We are very pleased with the result".

Another important consideration when opting for vinyl flooring was the need for highly versatile flooring in the gym area where weights are used.

"We installed interlocking Taraflex tiles that need no adhesive".

"They are flexible and capable of handling heavy equipment".

"We also felt vinyl flooring was a better choice than timber to sit on top of underfloor heating," said McKenzie.

In the sports hall, Gerflor's solution features a red border around the perimeter, to comply with requirements regarding safety for partially sighted users".

"The red also matches the corporate colour of Devonport Regeneration Company, which adds a nice touch," said McKenzie.

Back to top