Photo GalleryÂ
NEWARK, N.J. (May 12, 2015) – The floor of The Golden Dome Arena is getting a makeover over the next several weeks and you can follow along as it happens.
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Each day as progress is made, we will be posting photos and providing updates of the project. The floor was stripped down to bare wood and will be re-painted from scratch with several changes from the previous floor design being made.
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The floor project is one of many upgrades made to the arena in recent history. The playing arena has been completely refurbished over the past five years with the floor being replaced with a wood suspension system, chair-seating replacing wooden bleachers, and the installation of new scoreboard and sound systems.
The geodesic dome arena seats 1,002 and is the home court for the men's and women's basketball programs and the men's and women's volleyball squads. The dome also serves as an additional practice/recreation space for many other Scarlet Raider teams and students.
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May 6 & 7During the first two days of work, the floor's finish and paint was stripped, exposing the bare wood. A large sanding machine came in and took care of most of the work, with several hand sanders taking care of the hard-to-get-to areas of the arena.
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May 8The third day saw the team clean and seal the floor, essentially getting it ready to be painted.
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May 11The team was at it early, laying down tape for the different lines and immediately started to get paint on the floor. After what looked to be a solid first coat, the artist came in and began to work on the 'R' that will be featured in the middle of the court. Using both tape and pencil, the 'R' began getting painted and when we arrived Tuesday morning, the progress was very impressive.
May 12Long runs of black were painted as well as second coats of red along the outside of the court. The artist continued work on the 'R' in addition to work on the baselines. all-in-all, things are really starting to take shape as stenciling and more is on the docket for May 13 and beyond.Â
May 13The artists continued to work on the intricate lettering around the court and the team put some stenciling down in different areas as well. Second coats of black were put on and some of the painter's tape was taken up as things continue to progress nicely. First coats of white were also put down for the volleyball lines in addition to a few other small things.
May 14Work continued on the baselines and sidelines. 'Rutgers-Newark' is almost completed on each baseline, with the sideline lettering of 'The Golden Dome' and 'rutgersnewarkathletics.com' almost complete as well. Second coats of white were added to the volleyball lines and the stencils received a couple coats of black paint as well.
May 15The painting is complete! The outlines were finished on the 'Rutgers-Newark' along each baseline as well as the 'The Golden Dome' and the 'rutgersnewarkathletics.com' on the sidelines. We were unable to get on the floor for closeup photos of the work on Monday because the team was getting ready to put down the first coat of the finish. A total of two finish coats will be put down before re-opening The Golden Dome Arena floor after Memorial Day.
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Check back daily for updates!Â