News

*ELLICOTT CITY, MD — *The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the national organization for builders, designers and suppliers of materials for tennis courts, running tracks, synthetic turf fields and indoor and outdoor synthetic sports surfaces, has announced that it is now accepting applications for its annual awards program. The program, which honors outstanding design and construction in various types of athletic facilities, has an application deadline of June 1.

To be eligible for entry into the awards program, a facility must have been designed by, or built by, an ASBA member company. (To look up whether a company is a member, go to www.sportsbuilders.org, and use the “Find A Builder/Designer/Supplier” search feature on the right-hand side of the page). Those who are not yet members of ASBA can apply for membership online, using the tab for “Join Us,” found on the toolbar at the top of the page.

The ASBA member who designed or built the facility must be the one to enter it in the awards program; facility owners who are interested in having their projects entered should get in touch with their builder or designer to urge them to enter. Also in order to be eligible for this round of awards, projects submitted must have been completed within the current year or within the previous two calendar years (ending Dec. 31).

The judging of awards entries is done anonymously by a panel of ASBA members. Presentation of award plaques is made at the Technical Meeting, to take place next December in Palm Springs, California. Winning facilities receive a plaque and are recognized in associations announcements and in articles written in various industry magazines. ASBA member companies whose projects win awards are further urged to publicize the award to their local newspapers and others.

Projects are scored individually based on considerations such as layout and design, site work, drainage, base construction, surface, amenities, innovation and overall impression. Winning entries are those whose cumulative scores meet or exceed the standard.

Detailed information about ASBA and its awards program, including lists of previous award winners, can be obtained by going to www.sportsbuilders.org, and from the toolbar at the top of the page, select “About Us” and then, using the drop-down menu, choose “Awards.”

The ASBA is a non-profit association helping designers, builders, owners, operators and users understand quality athletic facility construction. The Association sponsors informative meetings, publishes newsletters, books and technical construction guidelines and keeps its members abreast of the latest developments in the industry. For additional information on the ASBA, its publications, activities and upcoming meetings, contact the Association at 8480 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 307, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The phone numbers are 866-501-ASBA (2722) or 410-730-9595, and the fax number is 410-730-8833. The ASBA also may be reached electronically via its website: www.sportsbuilders.org, or by e-mail at [email protected].