Plourde Recreation Center's indoor track gets a face lift
Dan Beaulieu
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: News Stories
By now many of you have probably heard about, or exercised on, the new track in the Plourde Recreation Center here at Assumption. The track was officially opened at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, January 20. Many students did not expect the addition of the new track to the Plourde. Students may be wondering why the school decided to replace the track rather than some of the other equipment in the gym that is also slightly out of date. Jaron Rider, the director of recreation, explained the necessity of a new track as a good start to the updating process.
The college did their research and chose a top-of-the-line surface. According to distributed material at the ribbon cutting ceremony, the track is made by Mondo and is Super X performance flooring. The surface of the track is known for its "greater durability, superior slip resistant surface, even under wet conditions, high shock absorption and excellent energy return." This type of track is used in 132 countries and is preferred by coaches and athletes all over the world.
Many, if not most Assumption students have run on the old track in the Plourde. The Track was aged and definitely in need of repair. According to Rider, the track was causing unnecessary strain on the students who used it. "The surface itself was slick especially when wet, which can happen just from participants perspiration, and the material used had hardened over time so that participants felt they were running on concrete. This is especially taxing on the knees and joints and can lead to shin splints," said Ridar. Although the old track was still getting the job done it was causing some problems and was high on the priority list for Rider since his hiring as director of recreation.
Rider specified why the school decided to spend money on the new track, rather than replacing some of the weight and cardio equipment. Rider said that although the weight and cardio equipment do need replacing they are not causing injury to students and are safe to exercise with. The school also took cost into consideration when they chose to replace the track. "The cost of new weight and cardio equipment is far more than what the track cost. These differences in cost and the more immediate need of the track led the College to move forward on this project," said Rider.
The college did their research and chose a top-of-the-line surface. According to distributed material at the ribbon cutting ceremony, the track is made by Mondo and is Super X performance flooring. The surface of the track is known for its "greater durability, superior slip resistant surface, even under wet conditions, high shock absorption and excellent energy return." This type of track is used in 132 countries and is preferred by coaches and athletes all over the world.
Many, if not most Assumption students have run on the old track in the Plourde. The Track was aged and definitely in need of repair. According to Rider, the track was causing unnecessary strain on the students who used it. "The surface itself was slick especially when wet, which can happen just from participants perspiration, and the material used had hardened over time so that participants felt they were running on concrete. This is especially taxing on the knees and joints and can lead to shin splints," said Ridar. Although the old track was still getting the job done it was causing some problems and was high on the priority list for Rider since his hiring as director of recreation.
Rider specified why the school decided to spend money on the new track, rather than replacing some of the weight and cardio equipment. Rider said that although the weight and cardio equipment do need replacing they are not causing injury to students and are safe to exercise with. The school also took cost into consideration when they chose to replace the track. "The cost of new weight and cardio equipment is far more than what the track cost. These differences in cost and the more immediate need of the track led the College to move forward on this project," said Rider.
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