Article code: 83-048
http://www.panstadia.com (also www.piqr.com and www.panstadia.co.uk)
PanStadia International Quarterly Report: Volume 8 No. 3, February 2002.

[TURF PROTECTION & ICE COVERS]

FLOOR SHOW

It is commonly accepted
that every new and existing arena
needs to offer multi-functionality if it's
going to achieve success - Terracover®
offers venues this capability, in
the best way possible.

Terracover® has a top pedigree, not only because it hails from the Terraplas stable, but also due to the fact that so many arenas around the world are already enjoying the benefits the product has to offer.

One of the main benefits being cited by Operations Directors is the huge reduction in the time required for changeover, i.e. in the case of ice arena's the speed of change from ice to non-ice events then back to ice. Another major benefit, which has been identified by those arenas that have purchased the system, is a notable reduction in the staffing levels required.

This can probably be attributed to the fact that one of the systems unique features is that forklift trucks (with pneumatic tyres) as well as Cherrypickers can be driven over the Terracover® tiles once they have been laid. This obviously dramatically reduces the time needed to set up stages, music platforms, additional seating areas etc for non-ice events such as wrestling etc.

The Terracover® system has to date been used in ice arenas to enable them to stage such events as Motor Cross, Masters League Football, Basketball, Wrestling, Company AGMs, Religious Meetings, Banquets, Exhibitions etc., all whilst the ice floor has remained in place.

Terracover® is not restricted to use in ice arenas, however. It is also used in larger, indoor/domed arenas, such as the 40,000+ seat Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA, which has a Fieldturf floor it needs to protect when the arena is holding a whole host of non-sporting events, as opposed to its usual Baseball.

The system actually provides solutions to different problems in each case; at an ice arena the Terracover® is used to protect the fans from the slippery ice floor and the cold. Whereas at a domed arena, such as Tropicana Field, the Terracover® is utilised to protect the Fieldturf system from the fans and hundreds of tons of equipment.

Whilst the 'Devil Rays' are Tropicana Fields top priority, plenty else goes on in the dome during the off-season, and this year Terracover® was laid immediately after the end of play and stayed down for three whole months. The diversity of non-sporting events held at Tropicana Field, thanks to Terracover®, is huge and includes; Trade Shows, Boat Shows, Home and Garden Events, Fundraising and Charity Functions, Weddings and Black-Tie Affairs, Religious Conventions, Holiday Parties and, not least, Concerts.

Rick Nafe, VP of Operations at Tropicana Field said, "Tropicana Field became the first professional sport home to install Fieldturf. Due to the fact that it does not roll-up and is considered a 'permanent' installation, we had to find a cover system that would support thousands of people, take the weight and pressure of forklifts, Cherrypickers, staging, trucks etc., and not allow any liquid to penetrate the turf - Terracover® has proved to be the answer!" n

For further information on Terracover contact: RobertElse@terraplas.com