CHICO, Calif., June 30, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After years of planning and construction, officials at California State University, Chico are eagerly anticipating the fall opening of the school's expansive new Wildcat Recreation Center (WREC). The 109,000 square-foot facility's many impressive features include a four-lane Mondo Super X Performance track and a weight and fitness area with more than 20,000 square feet of Mondo Sport Impact flooring.
"We're excited to have Mondo as part of this amazing new facility," said Rick Scott, director of WREC. "Mondo's products are durable and attractive, and they will help us keep maintenance costs low. The Wildcat Recreation Center will also give us an edge in attracting students looking for a school with strong academics and state-of-the-art facilities."
WREC will be used for student, faculty and staff recreation activities as well as sport clubs and intramural sports. When the university evaluated potential flooring suppliers for the new facility, Mondo emerged as the clear choice. "We visited many facilities, talked with architects and considered every factor very carefully," Scott said. "Mondo is the industry standard. The company has fantastic products and an unmatched reputation."
Because of its use of renewable materials -- including Mondo's products -- and sustainable technologies, WREC was recently awarded LEED silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Mondo's Super X Performance, Sport Impact and all of its rubber flooring contribute to builders' LEED initiatives because the products are made of sustainable materials such as renewable natural rubber, natural fillers and color pigments that are free of lead and other heavy metals.
Mondo's rubber flooring products also are antibacterial and antimicrobial throughout, and they are free of harmful chemicals, so they help create healthy indoor environments. Ten Mondo rubber flooring surfaces recently received GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification from the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, an independent, nonprofit organization, and Mondo is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.
"Being part of Chico State's LEED-certified building and our recent GREENGUARD certification are testaments to our dedication to producing high-quality products that meet the industry's strictest quality standards, require minimal maintenance and are environmentally safe -- which we have done throughout our 60-year history," said Federico Stroppiana, president of Mondo North and South America.
The world's top track for more than 30 years, Mondo Super X Performance has been installed at more than 1,100 venues globally. Recognized around the world as the fastest, most durable and environmentally safest track available, it has been used in the eight Olympic Games prior to Beijing. (Mondo's newest track surface, Mondotrack, was the official track of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.) Super X Performance was developed to maintain its initial physical properties throughout its life, so it provides consistent performance.
The track's vulcanized natural rubber surface provides maximum elasticity and unparalleled durability, and its embossed, textured finish makes it extremely easy to maintain with no resurfacing required. This high-performance track is renowned for its shock absorption and optimal energy return, and its ideal blend of speed and comfort minimizes the occurrence of injuries.
Mondo's Sport Impact vulcanized rubber surface is specially designed to meet the needs of fitness and recreational facilities. Its 3 millimeter wear layer can withstand abuse from heavy weights and cardio equipment. The surface is non-porous and antibacterial throughout, which eliminates odors and prevents the growth of bacteria that can lead to infection, a common problem for flooring made from other materials. It does not require coatings or finishes, which lessens the need for maintenance. Sport Impact flooring is 100 percent recyclable for reduced environmental impact.
Sasaki Associates designed the Wildcat Recreation Center, Otto Construction was the general contractor and B.T. Mancini Company was the flooring contractor.
About California State University, Chico
Known for academic excellence in engineering, science, computing, business, technology, environmental studies and communication, California State University, Chico is the second-oldest campus in the California State University system. Chico State offers 13 intercollegiate sports programs that compete at the NCAA Division II level, and the school is a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The university has earned recognition for its leadership in sustainability and environmental awareness and education.
About Mondo
Mondo is the global leader in the sports flooring market, manufacturing floor surfaces for virtually every sport. Throughout its 60-year history, the company has invested heavily in research and development to produce cutting-edge products that meet the highest quality standards, deliver optimal athletic performance, are durable, require minimal maintenance and are environmentally safe.
More than 1,100 Mondo tracks and 800 Mondo artificial turf fields are installed worldwide. The official supplier of the athletic track for the past nine Olympic Games, Mondo also is the official supplier or official sponsor of more than 100 sports federations and associations, including FIBA, IAAF, Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, NIRSA, U.S. Track Coaches Association and YMCA.
The company also supplies a wide variety of commercial flooring and is the world's largest producer of sports and toy balls with an average daily production of 450,000 units. In addition, it manufactures large luxury yachts under its Mondo Marine division.
A family-owned business since its founding in 1948, Mondo sells its products in more than 196 countries. The company's global headquarters are in Italy, and it has manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. More information about Mondo is available at www.mondousa.com.
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