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Achieving a picturesque running track that supports athlete performance and safety requires the work of experts. Whether you need to upgrade your current running track or wish to build a new facility, it’s crucial to work with a certified and trusted running track builder. Following American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) standards, American Athletic Track and Turf abides by strenuous guidelines to create award-winning final products for schools, universities, and athletic complexes throughout the East Coast and Southeast region. Here, we explore what the ASBA and certified track builders are and the benefits of hiring one for your project.

What Is the ASBA?

American Sports Builders Association is a nonprofit trade association comprised of builders, designers, and materials suppliers for tennis courts, running tracks, and natural and synthetic turf fields. It promotes the highest standards of design, construction, and maintenance. Founded in 1965, ASBA raises professional standards to ensure that consumers receive services of the highest quality. A centralized source for technical information about playing surfaces, ASBA accomplishes the following:

• Leading in the development of current technical information and standards
• Promoting the interests of builders of sports facilities
• Providing a forum to gather and exchange ideas
• Improving sports facility construction and maintenance

ASBA Certification Process

ASBA members are highly regarded because of the certification process they must go through to be considered certified builders. Builders must meet these strict ASBA prerequisites:

• Experience: Applicants are required to have at least three years of experience in sports construction to ensure they have a thorough understanding of the craft.
• Eligibility: To qualify, an applicant must demonstrate at least 100 eligibility points in designated areas based on the specific type of certification.
• References: Applicants must provide at least three references regarding their work from sources with firsthand knowledge of their completed projects.

If an applicant meets these requirements, the certification process continues with the following steps:

• Submitting the application form
• Verifying employment
• Downloading the certification handbook
• Downloading the job list form and eligibility points spreadsheet
• Submitting payment
• Scheduling an exam

An exam is conducted to confirm a candidate’s skills and knowledge.

Reasons to Work With an ASBA-Certified Running Track Builder

When it comes to the construction of a new athletic facility or upgrading a current playing surface, athletic directors and business directors can’t afford to turn to just anyone. Working with an ASBA-certified builder offers peace of mind because these professionals have the know-how and experience to accomplish the job to the standards you expect. ASBA builders perform all the necessary procedures and use only the most proven and effective techniques to ensure your running surface is of the highest quality. Additionally, certified track builders will work closely with you from the designing and planning process through installation. From the types of materials you can use for your track, to the drainage systems that best suit your landscape, to the creation and installation of a strong foundation, certified track builders make sure you feel comfortable with the direction of the project from day one.

Choose the Certified Track Builders at American Athletic

When it’s time for a new running track for your athletic facility, call on the certified track builders at American Athletic Track and Turf. For over 25 years, we have provided award-winning sports field services to schools and facilities in eastern Pennsylvania, southern Massachusetts, Delaware, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Florida, New Jersey, and Maine. In addition to being an ASBA-certified builder, American Athletic is also a proud partner of FieldTurf, a Tarkett Sports Company. This partnership enables us to provide clients with playing surfaces revered all over the world for their safety and performance properties. Those interested in an alternative to the traditional bidding process should consider our SmartBuy Program. This program gives you full control over the look of your new running track installation while saving time and money. If you wish to work with an ASBA-certified builder, contact us today.