Stannard Gets a New Finish

Danaher Custom Services Inc. has returned to Lyndon State College to work on gymnasium floors.

The Lyndon State Athletic Department wanted Danaher to redo the Stannard Gymnasium floor after being dissatisfied with how it looked. The Stannard Gymnasium is the court used by the Lyndon State Hornets varsity men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the women's varsity volleyball team.

Lyndon State Athletic Director Christopher Ummer said that while the Stannard Gymnasium was sealed correctly over the summer, "we were not pleased with the art work and the coats of paint on the floor."

The Rita Bole Gymnasium was also restored over the summer, but was subject to many complaints from students.

"The floor pulled my hip flexor. It was ridiculous," said Freshmore Jeffery Russell.

Sophomore Quinn Rambo says he "avoided playing in that gym because of the increased risk of injury" prior to the latest finish.

"Essentially what needed to be done was that the finish needed to be reapplied. The finish [done the first time] was not effective one in protecting the floor and two in allowing for good traction."

Danaher Custom Services Inc. used  a different sealant upon the return October 28-29, and results are much better this time around.

The decision to have the company return to work on the floors again was a mutual one between Athletic Department Administrators, Physical Plant Director Tom Archer, and Dean of Administration Wayne Hamilton.

The initial cost of the renovation was around $50,000. "To date we have not paid anything extra for re-doing the gym floor and I suspect that will be the case as we have argued that the finish was not adequate for our purposes," said Archer via e-mail. 

After the latest work, the new floors "should be good for 20-30 years" according to Ummer.

A new scoring table has also been purchased for the Stannard Gymnasium. "It creates a more professional appearance," and even "has a protective padding" said Ummer. The new table cost $7180 and was funded by the Hornet club. "We've got to keep up with the Jones'," added Ummer.

The restoration of the Stannard Gymnasium was just in time for the Lyndon State Hornets men's varsity basketball opener on November 15.