Selecting new flooring presents a challenge. There are so many factors that must be considered. What activities and programs will take place on the floor? How much does the budget provide? What takes precedence – religious, social, educational, recreational, or sports programs? How frequently will the floor be used and by how many people? What type of equipment or materials will be used, placed, and moved on the surface? What are the ongoing cleaning and maintenance requirements, in addition to the daily routine?

Before coming to a consensus on the best type of floor for the facility based on answers to these questions, go back to the first question and expand it. What type of usage is anticipated for the future? Think beyond just the next year or two, but five or more years down the road. Just as with maintenance, decision makers cannot only consider the "here and now." Their long-range vision is crucial for the flooring and the space to realize its potential so it can be used to the greatest extent possible.

When making a flooring selection for a religious school or house of worship, planning committees typically focus on what is needed for the present and short-term. They consider the flooring based on what programs they plan to offer in the immediate future and the available budget.

However, the members can be shortchanging themselves and missing out on future opportunities. The flooring chosen and installed must be functional and help make the space welcoming. Take the same long-term outlook with the floor's applications as with the long-term maintenance needs. The everyday cleaning protocol cannot be considered solely on its own; it must be looked at in the context of what the maintenance might require in 10 years. The long-term maintenance can have the effect of limiting usage of the space due to fumes or drying time and unanticipated expenses resulting from cleaning supplies and equipment. Some flooring products have to be sanded, refinished, and resealed to keep the surface in good playing and attractive condition. Others maintain their performance characteristics with an occasional automatic scrubbing. 

The popular programs and activities currently offered might be replaced by other sports, games, or the addition of a fitness studio in just a few years. The committee members need to think about who will be sharing the space and search for flooring with the versatility and durability to handle program changes.

Spend some time contemplating the long-term vision for the church and how the right flooring plays a role in reaching that objective. Adding a fellowship hall or youth center might be part of the plan. Demographics may change. With an uncertain economy, older congregation members may stay and not sell their houses to younger families. Or, they may welcome back their grown children to live with them. These younger adults may already have their own families. Once they are members, the congregation and administrators want to be certain the facility can respond to changing needs and interests.

It is important to know the flooring can flawlessly handle the transition from a youth group overnight to a morning adult pickup basketball game followed by a seniors' walking group or chair exercise class and then the childcare program's yoga session. The day might end with a potluck dinner. Or, some of these programs could be taking place simultaneously if the room can be subdivided. Performance, comfort, and safety must be part of the key selection criteria in order to wind up with the right floor installation.

Future outreach may be directed to teens and young adults in hope of encouraging them to remain members. They like to be active, especially middle school students. Their interests may lean toward music sessions or theater performances, which require rollout sound and computer systems. The flooring must be able to handle sneakers and high heels, rows and rows of chairs, as well as absorb sound to help keep the music contained within that room. Determine if the products under consideration can accommodate these demands. Perhaps the teens are interested in learning how to prepare healthy meals when the kitchen is available. In that case, the floor needs to have protection against food spills and allow the setup of tables.

Serving the community at large provides multiple benefits. The church is looked upon as a good neighbor and a reliable community resource. But, to get to that point, committee members must be confident they will not be taking a risk with the flooring investment. Communication with these other organizations is crucial. Learn ahead of time what equipment might be used to determine if their programs could be held there. Knowing the floor is durable helps establish the facility as an integral part of the community with available and accessible space able to handle constant traffic and heavy loads and clean easily without needing a floor cover.
 
Recent natural disasters have taken community responsiveness to new levels across the country. Consider a water vapor barrier because the future might bring unpleasant and unexpected events. Imagine an emergency situation if a disaster strikes the area. People may have to evacuate quickly and the facility offers to shelter them. The community needs come first, but will the floor remain intact after an influx of evacuees and volunteers spend days on it or if water finds its way inside the structure? Again, planning for the future can make a tremendous difference.

Current programming may include passive recreation, but the future plan may call for a sports ministry. Choose from durable floors able to handle bouncing basketballs, jogging, and group fitness classes with equipment. Think long and hard about the choices because some surfaces lend themselves to usage changes and building alterations better than others.

Think about how great it would look after a room expansion if no one could tell the difference between the new floor and the old floor, because the look of the floor is the same and the feel and performance are identical no matter where anyone walks. If a conversion of space is in the planning, look for flooring that works for new construction and retrofits and can be installed over existing flooring, which eliminates the need to budget for removal costs. The same applies if "knock-out" walls are constructed for building enlargement later on.  

Floors utilized for sports and recreational programs typically have permanent game lines added. In some cases, surfaces can have temporary game lines put on them. The advantage is once they are removed, there is no trace of the game lines ever being there. The surface color remains the same across the entire floor, providing versatility.

Additionally, more than just the building and congregation benefit from flooring with "green" characteristics. Look for flooring that helps indoor air quality with its low level of volatile organic compound emissions (VOC). Build upon that with the usage of low VOC game line paint and adhesives. With green flooring in place, when time comes to expand or convert space, in 5 or 10 years, the committee does not have to redo the entire selection process and feel pressured or obligated to select another type. The floor in place is environmentally friendly.

 Green building is expected to become the standard for construction and choosing flooring that contributes to LEED building credits in several categories with reduced energy usage, water conservation, recycled content, and minimized maintenance. Lower maintenance flooring saves money because less water and energy is needed for cleaning. The right flooring can help cut down on energy consumption because it does not require an HVAC unit to be running all the time to maintain specific temperature and humidity levels.

Environmental stewardship is a good outlook to include in the planning. The results are financial savings and a positive contribution to the congregation's future in countless ways.   

Robin Traum is public relations consultant for Gerflor Sports Flooring, LLC, www.gerflortaraflex.com. 

Product Roundup

Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association
The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) is the authoritative source of technical and general information about maple flooring and related sports flooring systems. Through cooperative member programs, MFMA establishes product quality, performance and installation guidelines; educates end users about safety, performance and maintenance issues; and promotes the use of maple flooring products worldwide. MFMA northern hard maple is a responsible and green choice.
www.maplefloor.org

Awana Game Floors from Electra Tarp
Current trends show valued space is often required to serve for numerous functions. Electra Tarp's custom Awana game floor offers the versatility to turn your space into a multipurpose facility. The flexibility of using this game floor on any surface gives boundless options where this activity can be held. The game floor is manufactured using durable reinforced vinyl with painted Awana game circle. Remove the game floor by simply folding and storing away. Whether your space is large or small, a game floor can be constructed to fit your needs.
www.electratarp.com

 Action Herculan
Action Floor Systems, a leading supplier of premium maple sports floors and synthetic multiuse surfaces, offers a green synthetic polyurethane floor. Action Floor Systems was the first manufacturer in America to offer of a completely solvent-free synthetic polyurethane multipurpose floor system. The environmentally friendly Action Herculan top coat requires no masks or building evacuation during application. Herculan is a high-performance, monolithic, nonporous floor. It's an ideal choice for multi-use applications with the performance characteristics you want in a quality athletic floor, and the durability and versatility to handle non-sports uses.
www.actionfloors.com

ProGym from Mateflex
ProGym interlocking modular flooring features a smooth playing surface for basketball, volleyball, and almost any gymnasium activity. ProGym is made from a resilient yet durable polypropylene material. It provides optimum playing characteristics, good player comfort, safety, and a short installation to enjoyment time. ProGym is available in 15 standard colors to meet any need. ProGym works for both new construction and for renovating or upgrading existing hard or worn floors. ProGym is made in America by Mateflex Modular Surfaces. 
www.mateflex.com

BounceBack ShockTower by SnapSports
BounceBack ShockTower is a modular athletic surface with a newly engineered ReactivePlay energy return technology to provide fantastic ball response and more power to the player. Patented ReactivePlay also gives an added level of absorption to reduce impact on joints and limbs, letting you play longer and harder. Sixteen individual contact points ensure a consistent playing surface and excellent coefficient of friction to keep the surface in place. 
www.snapsports.com

Multi-Play Flooring
Multi-Play Flooring is the solution to the many needs of today's expanding churches. For recreation, Multi-Play performs much like a more expensive wood floor, providing a surface that offers shock absorption, proper traction, and ideal ball bounce. But it's ideal for churches who also utilize those multi-purposes spaces for meetings and church suppers, since Multi-Play remains undamaged by the use of tables and chairs. Multi-Play can also be used as temporary flooring to conduct occasional recreational activities. Multi-Play is available in a number of attractive colors and carries a 10-year warranty.
www.multiplayfloor.com

Allied Products
Allied Products supplies and installs a wide range of fitness, multi-purpose, commercial and sports floor systems throughout the country. Their floor and court systems are engineered for a wide range of applications for most any type of project, whether remodeling or new construction. With a multitude of colors and styles to select from, you are sure to find something that will match your design and performance requirements. Allied Products can provide a full range of services from design assistance to installation for all of its products. 
www.alliedproductsllc.com

Encore from Aeson Flooring
Aeson's Encore flooring is the revolutionary "click & go" finished hardwood floor with an integrated sprung subfloor. Ideal for virtually all sport, athletic, and fitness activities, the thorough wood construction provides a stable, long-lasting floor. The Encore Collection offers variable foam-backed systems for custom applications, allowing clients to design the optimum system for their needs. Available in easy-to-handle lengths, Encore is fully transportable and installs with no adhesive, screws or nails required.  Choose from Oak, Beach and Maple hardwoods, each of which can be line painted.
www.aesonflooring.com

Surface America
From seamless floors to snap-together tiles, Surface America offers the ultimate in multi-purpose gymnasium flooring with the industry's strongest wear coat. ElastoFloor, Surface America's line of seamless urethane floors, provides an ideal surface for basketball, volleyball, badminton, tennis, jogging, and all other types of sport and recreational use. Game markings and intricate graphic designs can be applied for a complete custom design. AmeriTile Indoor Sport snap-together tiles provide excellent traction while the rubber basemat absorbs both shock and sound, creating a high-performance, durable surface system. AmeriTile Indoor Sport's positive lock system eliminates gapping and keeps joints tight.
www.surfaceamerica.com