Is a new gym floor that special? 

Fifteen years of shin splints, sore ankles, and knee problems are coming to an end this year as Central Maine Community College (CM) has just put down a new hardwood floor in the Kirk Hall Gym.   

Opened in 1993, Kirk Hall houses not only the gym but classrooms and offices as well.  A rubber court was installed since back “in the day” that was the newest, greatest invention since sliced bread!  Many schools went this direction and laid down this multi-use surface to save money on construction.  The mindset at the time was that this flooring saved valuable cash, was damage proof, and could also be used for just about any event!  However, most public institutions since then have replaced this surface after realizing the disproportionate number of injuries that occur and the toll it takes on the human body. 

How special is this at CM?  CM is a small, intimate school where everybody knows everybody and there is genuine affection for each other.  When people get hurt or are hurting, many suffer the pain.  The new floor is the answer to the verbal/silent prayers of every basketball player who ever played on it ….  Many CM alumni are home now reflecting on their time at CM and can only wish they were as lucky as the players now competing on such a forgiving surface.   

Fortunately, the fiscally conservative outlook that governs the college will not allow anything to be built unless it is quality-- at a reasonable price.  The new floor is simply gorgeous and “makes the room.”   It will improve the whole experience at the facility and add even more “class” to a campus that already epitomizes class and pride throughout.  And at the end of the day, this will benefit all athletes who set foot on it.  Special?  You bet it is!