UltraSyntec and Resdev – Getting In The Community Spirit

When a local community group took control of a recreation ground in Calderdale, with the management of the facility transferred to the group on a 100-year lease by the local council, the budget was a key issue in bringing the ground up to the standards required by the group.

Elland Rugby League & Greetland Football Club merged to reform as GOLDS (Greetland Organisation of Local Development of Sport) with ambitious plans to increase the range of activities on offer. The vision is to include more options for women’s and disability sports, as well as new opportunities for both juniors and veterans, using sport to contribute to health, community spirit and quality of life.

The refurbishment was a big task. The changing rooms and toilets had not been touched since the facility was built in the early 90s, so there was a lot of work to be done! Although the FA had awarded a grant to the football club, Rugby League Grants turned down Elland’s application for funding.  This left a significant gap in the required budget, so GOLDS was having to rely heavily on club members and local tradesmen for their support.

Ultrasyntec’s MD Will Hoyle had supported Elland all his life, and his son currently plays for the Under 13s team. He got together with Nick Wright, MD of resin flooring systems Resdev, based in Elland, who had been a club sponsor and also played for the Greetland side some years ago. They decided to help the cause because of their mutual history with the ground and made the decision that Resdev would supply all the necessary materials free of charge, with the Ultrasyntec flooring team installing new flooring at the club, also totally free of charge.

There was no question about the quality of the materials chosen; both Will and Nick agreed that there was no point laying floors that would only last a few seasons. The two came up with a specification using Resdev’s market-leading Resdev’s Pumadur RT for all the floor areas, including the showers, which also feature a 200mm high coved skirting. The floor was then sealed using Resdev’s Pumadur TF to create a robust surface that is both easy to clean and anti-slip.

Aesthetics were important in the bar area, where Ultrasyntec laid a flake system to create a more marbled effect. Coloured flakes were spread into a base coat, then sealed for longevity using Resdev’s Pumadur DD Clear.

The end result is a practical and attractive floor across the facility, which is safe, hygienic, easy to clean and will support activities in the area for many years to come.