University of Illinois Upgrades Indoor and Outdoor Tracks

The installations of a Beynon BSS 2000 RE indoor track resurfacing system and a new Beynon BSS 2000 outdoor track surface at the University of Illinois will help ensure that Big Ten track and field athletes will compete on world-class surfaces for years to come.

The 10-millimeter-thick BSS 2000 RE with Beynon’s exclusive Hobart Texture was put in place in Summer 2020 to revitalize the outdated surface at the Historic University of Illinois Armory, built in 1914 and located in the heart of the Champaign campus. A vibrant orange and gray color combination brightens the building’s interior and, according to Illinois track and field coach Mike Turk, the surface improves force reduction — which he says will help decrease injuries and enhance performance.

There are many other touches to the track to help the Fighting Illini in their pursuit of championships. Specialty markings for training, ghost lines in the straight away to reduce wear and tear for practice, smooth Spike Proof PolyTurf Plus areas for the shot put sector and smooth areas for the athletes to change into spikes to help with keeping the building clean. Beynon Sports also installed smooth Spike Proof PolyTurf Plus around the sand pits to aid in keeping the building clean.

The system has a 5 mm force reduction layer with a 5 mm wearing coarse with the proprietary Beynon Hobart Texture. The system adds structural integrity and a uniform seal layer, resulting in a seamless, textured wearing coat that rejuvenates older track surfaces.

The Hobart Texture is engineered to eliminate EPDM granule migration by locking granules in place with Beynon’s exclusive binder and water-based aliphatic coating, further increasing the resurfaced track’s lifespan. The updated surface now provides the University of Illinois with one of the finest indoor track facilities in the Midwest.

Outside, construction continues on Demirjian Park — a new two-field soccer facility that also will include a renovated track and field complex featuring Beynon’s BSS 2000 with Hobart Texture. The Gary R. Wieneke Track (named after the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame track and field coach) is expected to open in time for the 2021 outdoor season, and UI is slated to host the 2021 Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the facility.

The BSS 2000 features a force-reduction layer of high-performance butyl rubber and full-depth color polyurethane, and it is installed at several other NCAA Division I universities. Beynon’s design and engineering team includes world-famous track coaches and leading polyurethane research chemists working together with experienced installation professionals to create the ultimate running surface.

Beynon boasts more than 7,500 North American installations over the past decade highlighted by Hayward Field (University of Oregon), the University of Alabama, the University of Washington, etc.

Contact your area’s Beynon representative to find out how you can transform your indoor or outdoor track and field facility. Beynon also manufactures banked tracks and surfaces for tennis courts.