This-N-That
Brock Receives Recognition For Sustainability
Boulder, Colo.--Brock International, a provider of performance-based systems for synthetic turf, became the first company in the synthetic-turf industry to have a Cradle to Cradle Certified product. Recognized as a rigorous environmental certification process, the designation is administered by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, which evaluates products and materials for their impact on human health and environmental health and design for future life cycles.
Brock was awarded the Silver Designation for its PowerBase, an interlocking panel system with the highest quality, food-grade 100-percent pure polypropylene. The panels can be easily removed, cleaned and begin their next life as a quality, durable material with minimal use of additional energy or waste. Alternatively, as a pure mono-component material, the panels can be easily recycled and remade into new panels, eliminating the demand for new fossil fuels for this use.
For more information, visit www.brock-international.com .
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Top Instructors Recognized By NSPF
Colorado Springs, Colo.--Nine instructors with non-profit National Swimming Pool Foundation received awards for exceptional performance at the annual instructor meeting.
Distinguished Instructor awards were given to:
• Bob Buettner, Leslie’s Poolmart, Inc., Phoenix, Ariz.
• Jose Miquel Torres, Paraiso Pools, Deltona, Fla.
• Scott Ford, Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Dunedin, Fla.
• Michael Lowry, Lowry & Associates, Newmarket, Ontario
• Trevor Sherwood, Pool Operation Management, Brick, New Jersey
• Pat Kirk, CPO Wyoming, Gillette Wyo.
• Allen Crumley, The Pool Management Group, Inc., Marietta, Ga.
• Steven Morgan, Sunbelt Pools of Georgia, LLC, Atlanta, Ga.
• Sarah Gruttemeyer, Pool Professionals, Inc., Cary, N.C.
For more information, visit www.nspf.org .
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BSN Awards Grant To St. Philip’s School
Dallas, Texas--BSN SPORTS (flagship division of Sport Supply Group, Inc.), a sporting-goods distributor to schools and leagues, awarded its first Victory Grant to the St. Philip’s School and Community Center of Dallas, which provides an academic environment and athletic programs for inner-city children from low-income families. The new equipment will be used to help improve and expand athletic programs that would have been otherwise impacted by ongoing funding challenges.
Programs nationwide are invited to apply for Victory Grant consideration at www.BSNSPORTS.com/sponsorme . Grants will be allocated on a rolling basis and are open to all organizations.
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Field Notes
Signature Systems Group, LLC (formerly Signature Fencing & Flooring Systems, LLC) announced the hiring of Don Douvillon as VP of Heavy Matting.
SPRI Products, Inc., a distributor of rubberized resistance products and fitness accessories, has promoted Lizz Erickson to Commercial Sales Manager, where she oversees all commercial sales in the U.S., including health clubs, yoga studios, universities, municipalities, hospitality, military and corporate wellness.
Allyn Frerichs retired as director of Parks, Recreation & Forestry after more than 50 years of service to the city of Brookings, S.D.
PROFILE Products LLC announces it is changing its master brand to better represent its evolving business. The master brand is best expressed in its updated logo and new tagline: Solutions for your Environment.
Poo Free Parks, a Denver-based, privately held company providing environmentally responsible pet-waste supplies and services to local communities, announces that it has named Tatum Bell as the new director of sales.
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Working Together To Keep Calif. State Parks Open
Three California State Parks on the closure list will be kept open through an agreement reached between the National Park Service (NPS) and the California State Parks (CSP).The parks included are: Tomales Bay State Park, located within both Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Samuel P. Taylor State Park, located within Golden Gate National Recreation Area; and, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, located within Redwood National Park near Crescent City.
The key to this arrangement is that the three state parks are within the legislative boundaries of National Parks where joint federal/state agreements have existed for years for the sharing of staffing, resource protection and park operations. Closure of any state park within National Park Service’ boundaries would likely have negative impacts on national park resources and visitor experiences, as well as negative impacts on the local economies.
The NPS will support normal day-to-day operations needed to keep the parks open. However, no additional federal funding will be available and no major or long-term infrastructure repairs will be accomplished. Operations managed by the NPS for California State Parks will be dependent upon existing NPS funds along with the regular State Park fees collected at the respective parks.
This is a one-year agreement on a trial basis and renewable as long as both the National Park Service and California State Parks desire to continue such an arrangement.
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STC Donates Field To Washington, D.C. Middle School
The Synthetic Turf Council awarded Stuart-Hobson Middle School in Washington, D.C. a new synthetic playing field. The non-profit trade association revealed plans for a 13,200-square-foot, synthetic turf playing surface to be used by students year-round for team sports and to increase their fitness levels.
For more information, visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org .
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Making An Impact In The Industry
Hello Ron,
I just finished the article you wrote “Shedding Cement Shoes” in PRB October. I want to thank you for your story, for the reminder that every day we have the opportunity in some small way to touch the lives of people who may be struggling with demons of some kind, to recognize the personal traits that we have been blessed with and take the opportunity to share them with others that might help draw them to a better place.
Thank you for doing what you do, keep sharing your skills and self with others--you do the profession proud.
Cheers,
Peggy Watters
Community Services Director
City of Wilsonville, Ore.
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Hi Ron,
I wanted to say what a great article you wrote in PRB October. It’s amazing how we have the ability to positively impact so many people’s lives with little effort really. I coach high school sports and work in sales. I love making a difference and I love seeing the kids I work with give back.
Thanks again for a great article!
Heather Simpson
BrittenGear
Traverse City, Mich.
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Word On The Web
On “Surely,” October 28 Week-Ender blog post:
Ron,
Nice job with your article. Funny that you wanted to be Walt Disney, the artist and I wanted to be Walt Disney, the theme park guru. I actually followed my dream briefly. After several seasons working at Geauga Lake [in northern Ohio] I did a stint at Walt Disney World (and then moved on to Cedar Point in western Ohio), but found that what I thought I wanted wasn’t exactly what I really wanted.
Here I am in a career I thoroughly enjoy, which wasn’t even on my radar when I started college. I suppose I could be a general manager at an amusement park today, but I really do thank God for that unanswered prayer.
While I don’t miss the Cleveland weather, I sure do miss those fall leaves. Enjoy it before the snow starts flying!
Don Decker
Director of Parks & Recreation
Weston, Fla.
Note: Not receiving the Week-Ender blog? Start/renew your subscription at www.parksandrecbusiness.com for this exclusive online content.
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Calendar
January
3-Feb. 17 UMass Winter School for Turf Managers, Amherst, Mass.—University of Massachusetts; academicprograms@contined.umass.edu
10-12 Northern New England Recreation and Parks Conference, Bartlett, NH--Attitash Grand Summit Resort; www.northernnewenglands.com
10-14 Sports Turf Managers Association Conference and Exhibition, Long Beach, Calif. www.stma.org
16-20 Mid-America Pool & Spa Show, Schaumburg, Ill.-- Schaumburg Convention Center; www.midamericashow.com
18-20 Indiana Park and Recreation Association Annual Conference, Michigan City, Ind.—Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa; www.inpra.org
29-1 Mid-America Pool and Spa Show, Southeast Region, Atlanta, Ga.--Cobb Galleria Centre; www.southeastshow.com
February
6-7 Ohio Parks & Recreation Conference and Trade Show, Sandusky, Ohio—Kalahari Resort; www.opraonline.org
March
7-9 National Drowning Prevention Symposium, San Diego, Calif.--Hyatt Mission Bay; www.ndpa.org