Summary
Hey, did you know that the court of the $2 billion Intuit Dome, the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers, was made in a tiny town in Michigan? It’s like finding out that the crown jewels were actually crafted in a small, little-known village. Connor Sports, tucked away in Amasa, Michigan, is the wizard behind the curtain, diligently creating about 800 hardwood courts a year, not just for local high schools, but also for NBA and major college teams. Imagine that – a small-scale operation with an outsize impact on the world of sports!
Key Points
• The Los Angeles Clippers’ new $2 billion Intuit Dome features a hardwood court constructed by Connor Sports, a leading court maker based in Michigan.
• The construction process involves procuring trees, drying, cutting and planing the wood over two 10-hour shifts, six days a week.
• Connor Sports builds about 800 courts a year, most of them destined for high school gymnasiums and recreational centers across the US.
• The company also creates iconic courts used by the NBA and major college basketball programs, consisting of interlocking panels with attached subfloors for shock absorption and stability.
• Despite the pandemic impacting the market, demand for hardwood courts has started to recover with companies shipping 19.4 million square feet of flooring last year.
Background
• Connor Sports is a leading maker of hardwood courts, with its operations based in the small mill town of Amasa, Michigan. The company constructs around 800 courts annually, many for high school gymnasiums and recreational centers.
• The hardwood courts are typically made of northern hard maple, a durable wood harvested from forests above the 35th parallel.
Future Implications
• The demand for hardwood courts is expected to continue recovering from the impact of the pandemic, potentially leading to a boost in the industry.
• The trend of elaborate designs on college and professional courts is likely to continue, potentially influencing the work of finishing companies that work with court makers like Connor Sports.
• Developments in the construction and design of basketball courts may influence the sporting experience for both players and viewers, enhancing the appeal of the sport.
