In 2012 The Whyalla basketball Association lead by President Lawrence McLean and project manager Ian Hoffmann embarked on an ambitious project to replace our 35 y.o hardwood floors. Boards had been failing for many years, especially in the key ways of crts 2 and 3. This is the 1st of a 6 week Time lapse series of video's documenting the process and the volunteers involved.
Prework
The Wood arrived on time in early Aug via 2 semi trailer loads. The packs weighed nearly a 1 tonne each. A Forklift was used to lower the packs onto specially made wide wheeled trolleys.
Even getting the wood in was a challenge we were on tight schedule getting the forklift bogged didn't help!!
Wood was stacked predominately on crt 2. This crt was unavailable for the finals, but made handy extra seating.
The wood was also onsite for the Whyalla show the day after our finals we had to redistribute the bundles around the edges of all the crts for them to get their exhibits in.
One of the many moving teams.
Crt 1 ready to go
Week 1
Time lapse of week 1: Work starts the day after the Whyalla Show society exit the facility. The team is rallied the floor is cut and up come the boards.
Then the mammoth task of sorting and de-nailing the boards starts. They move 2 crt 3 as the project is well ahead of schedule.
Darren Quinn on clean up duty 1/2 way thru crt one removal
Barely started but the crew have taken a smoko already!! Kym Ramke, Wes & Lawrence Mclean and Mark Bishop reading the instructions by the look of it.
With the floor ahead of schedule on Crt 1 Darren Quinn Jim Higgins Olly Rosalia and Chad McLean move the muscle to crt 3
With the floor up clean up of broken wood and nails continues.
Crt 2 is designated as our de-nailing station Many of the wood was damaged on removal from crt one. Lawrence carry's out a quality control inspection
Week 2
With crt 1 completely ripped up the contractors come in to start laying the main crt. At the same time crts 2 and 3 are fully removed. Getting the floor up is the easy part fixing and leveling the joists takes days.
Old relics Found under the old floor.
Being aged quality hardwood the old floor is worth noney. Many locals and outsiders purchase the wood from us by the bundle. Some went for fire wood, some went for furniture manufacture, some went to be relaid as floor again in Adelaide.
Burning broken boards and kindling was a highlight for the kids. Especially big Kids Chad McLean, Mark Fisher and Olly Rosalia.
The last of the boards come up.
Boards are shipped out via Ian Hoffmans Fowler. John Mathews in the foreground still de-nailing.
10,000's of nails were collected and recycled. These plus another full steel garbage bin!!
Week 3
Week 3 Time Lapse of the Jubilee park Stadium reflooring project and Crt 1 new floor is completed. Sanding and prep for painting begins.
Crt 2 and 3 straightening shimming and repairing the joists continue. Phil Sweeney and Lawrence McLean pondering where to start.
8 y.o Georgia Hoffmann getting her hands dirty helping out.
Removal of remnants of the old lighting tower. This plate used to stick up out of the floor at the centre of crt 2 & 3.
Codi, Macy, Amiee, Amali Kaesler, Hanah Wakelin and Madison Hoffmann Discover a 4ft long Snake Skeleton, and run for the hills.
The new wood is laid out to dry ready for laying next week.
Week 4
1 month in and the WBA stadium floor project is still on schedule and going well.
Crt 3 wood goes down, Crt 2 almost gets finished. Sanding continues feverishly around crt 1 while the expansion control joints are laid.
The Cox construction guys takle a well earned lunch break
Time lapse camera gear
Week 5
The Flooring contractors are finished as all 3 crt's are now completed. In week 5 issues were discovered with crt 1 backboard location mechanical realignment is necessary. Painters move in to start the finishing off process.
Bare floors waiting for the final signage and seal to go down.
Week 6
Week 6 see's finishing touches take place: Control joints, sanding, cleaning, court marking, crt signage and finally the seal goes down.
Crt 3 Before the seal and decals
Week 7
Last 2 coats of seal go down in week 7(no footage of this).
Project was completed on schedule on budget.
Massive recognition must go to President Lawrence McLean for his vision and management of this project. The biggest project since the stadium extension some 30 years earlier.
Well done and thank you to all the volunteers and contractors that helped.