This-N-That
Waterless Co. Launches Updated Website
Vista, Calif.—U.S.-based Waterless Co. Inc. has launched an updated web site, www.waterless.com, focused on the needs of the professional building, facility management, and professional cleaning industries. The site is not only useful for facility managers looking to install Waterless urinals, but also serves as an information source regarding water, water efficiency, and water newsworthy items. Visitors will also find information on how waterless urinals can help facilities earn points toward LEED certification and information for Federal (GSA) customers. For more information, visit www.waterless.com.
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Docking System Does It All
Washington County Parks (WCP) has been making an investment in structures that enable the public to gain access to their waterways. In the past 3 years, WCP purchased three floating dock systems for two of their most popular parks. The latest dock system was installed at a new boat ramp and was designed to accommodate multiple types of watercraft and activities. The new docking facility at Cross Creek Park was developed through a series of meetings between Park Superintendent Kevin Garrison and staff of American Muscle Docks & Fabrication. WCP wanted to design a dock that could serve as a courtesy dock for transient fishing and pleasure boaters, an ADA-compliant access ramp and dock slip, docking space for park and law enforcement staff and a low-profile dock to accommodate the increasing number of people using kayaks and other non-power personal watercraft.
The final dock design included Dock Flash, a product that attached to the perimeter of the docks to add beauty and safety to the structures; horizontal stainless-steel cable pickets on the ramps to permit limited scenery blockage due to safety apparatus requirements; Eco-friendly NyloDeck decking made from 100-percent recycled nylon carpet fibers that provides an attractive and low-maintenance walking surface; heavy-duty hot dipped-galvanized steel truss frames and connecting hardware designed to make yearly removal and installation as easy as possible as well as providing the longest expected useful life of any dock framing; and all floated on floats using EPS foam filled 100-percent virgin P.E. shells. This docking system will serve the water-access needs of residents and visitors of south western Pennsylvania for many years to come.
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Field Notes
BOB-CAT, a manufacturer of commercial-quality turf mowers, has partnered with OTR Wheel Engineering to offer the manufacturer’s Zero-T drive tires. The new, enhanced grip tires will be featured on all BOB-CAT Predator-Pro and ProCat 2016 model year mowers.
SolaRight Lighting announces Cascadia Sales Group as its newest representative. Together with the combined knowledge of products and industry, they will cover the Green Industry and Parks and Recreation industries for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Northern Wyoming.
Turface Athletics, a manufacturer of soil amendments and sports field conditioners, is continuing its long-standing partnership with the American Baseball Coaches Association with a five-year agreement. Turface will become an ABCA official Double Partner.
PlayCore Holdings, Inc., a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of a broad range of play and recreation products, acquired Belson Outdoors. Founded in 1948, Belson Outdoors develops, designs, and distributes park and recreation equipment, including tables, benches, grills, shelters, and drinking fountains. Day-to-day operations will continue from Belson Outdoors’ headquarters in North Aurora, Ill., as part of PlayCore’s family of brands.
Profile Products LLC, a provider of environmentally friendly soil, water and vegetation management solutions, acquired the erosion-control and landfill cover businesses of Central Fiber LLC, a manufacturer of cellulose and wood fiber products.
Mary A. Sicard was named manager of Club Car’s newly formed resort and rental vertical markets. Prior to that, she served as Club Car’s consumer marketing manager for five years.
ClearWater Tech, LLC, a manufacturer of ozone systems for water and air purification for nearly 30 years, promoted Marc DeBrum to Sales Manager.
Wight & Company, a design and delivery firm, announces that Robert Ijams, PLA, has joined the firm as its first-ever Director of Parks & Recreation. Ijams has played a key role in the design and construction of more than 100 parks, athletic fields, trails, play environments, and indoor recreation facilities in northeastern Illinois.
Tomlinson Industries, a manufacturer of quality equipment for the water, beverage, and foodservice industries, hired two new employees. Matt Figas will take the helm as Director of Business Development and Finance. Melissa Figas will assume the responsibilities of Marketing and Advertising Manager.
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NSPF and Genesis Combine Forces
Colorado Springs, Colo. – The National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) and Genesis 3, Inc. announce that they are merging their operations to deliver a broader spectrum of training programs. Genesis will continue to elevate and transform the residential pool and spa design and construction industry. NSPF will continue to keep public pools safer and open. Both organizations operate globally and are accredited by the International Association of Continuing Education & Training.
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Strongwell Corp. Recognized By ACMA
Bristol, Va. — Strongwell Corporation was awarded the American Composites Manufacturers Association’s ACE Award in the Infinite Possibility for Market Growth Category. This award is presented to the composites product that “demonstrates the potential to significantly increase the use of composites in existing markets or generate the greatest impact to open new and emerging markets for composites.”
The entry featured its DURAGRID HD-4000 2.5” grating panels, manufactured at the company’s Chatfield, Minn., location, used at the Utah State University Electric Vehicle and Roadway research facility in Logan, Utah. The EVR serves as the vehicle systems integration facility for the Center for Sustainable Electrified Transportation. Magnetic transfer plates are housed beneath the grating which charge electric vehicles in motion.
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Vortex Continues Manufacturing Expansion
Montreal, QC – Vortex Aquatic Structures International, a manufacturer and of aquatic play landscapes and entertainment solutions, has completed the second phase of its manufacturing plant explanation.
Phase II adds advanced R&D technology, including the latest computer numerical control machines, to continue to deliver unique, progressive, user-friendly and technology-driven products. The new technology doubles production capacity, both in terms of run-time and parts produced. For example, by deploying five-axis machines, Vortex will be able to design and produce bigger, more complex parts, particularly those with curved holes and better surface finishes—vital for parts used in water parks—to meet demand for boundary-pushing solutions.
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Guide Helps In Designing Natatorium HVAC Systems
Milwaukee, Wis. – Desert Aire, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of commercial and industrial humidity and climate-control systems, has published a new guide that provides owners, mechanical contractors and engineers with a valuable resource for designing and retrofitting the HVAC systems of indoor pool facilities, natatoriums, aquatic centers and indoor water parks.
A Guide to an Integrated HVAC System Design for the 21st Century Natatorium is a 24-page, 4-color publication that reviews pool room design considerations including recent breakthroughs in understanding the complexities of maintaining the indoor air quality of an indoor pool facility. The Guide describes how to overcome challenges in existing HVAC system designs as well as new construction by taking an integrated, sustainable approach to creating the best indoor pool facilities for all stakeholders.
The guide is available for download as a PDF document at desert-aire.com. To receive a printed copy of the Guide, email sales@desert-aire.com.
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Promoting Youth Baseball, One Field at a Time
The Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) awards grants to non-profit and tax-exempt organizations involved in the operation of youth baseball and/or softball programs and facilities. The program is designed to promote the growth of youth baseball and softball throughout the world by awarding grants to support field renovation and construction projects, equipment and uniform purchases, coaches’ training material and other selected program expenses.
Since 2007, The Toro Company has taken an active role in the success of the program. Specifically, Toro has been a partner to BTF by providing high-quality turf maintenance products and irrigation equipment to grant recipients at a substantially discounted rate. For eight years and counting, Toro has helped support the program’s mission to facilitate the growth of the game through safe and high-quality facilities, and according to Toro, will continue to do so well into the future.
With the goal of enhancing, encouraging, and maintaining youth participation in the game, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund is a joint initiative between the Major League Baseball Players Association and Major League Baseball. Since its formation in 1999, BTF has awarded more than 800 grants totaling over $27 million to non-profit and tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and Asia. BTF also facilitates league-wide initiatives including the collection and distribution of new and gently used equipment to organizations in need as well as field maintenance education clinics.
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Calendar
February
1-3 Southeast Pool & Spa Show, Charlotte, N.C.—Charlotte Convention Center; (630) 308-1363
19-21 American Sports Builders Association Winter Meeting, Dominican Republic—Paradisus Palma Real Resort; www.sportsbuilders.org
23-26 Missouri Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference and Expo, Columbia, Mo.; www.mopark.org
29-March 3 New England Regional Turfgrass Conference & Show, Providence, R.I.--Rhode Island Convention Center; (401) 848-0004, www.turfshow.com
March
5-10 Association of Aquatic Professionals Annual Conference & Exhibit, San Diego, Calif.—Town and Country Resort and Convention Center; www.aquaticpros.org