The Sybil Andrews Academy on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds is a glowing example of how a stunning bespoke design can deliver a functional and inspiring place for students and staff alike.

The multi-million pound project included sports facilities that are shared with the community, and the addition of a much-needed sports centre at Moreton Hall Estate. The new resource includes a six-court sports hall, gym and an activity studio with separate changing facilities, entrances and offices for each. As with all quality new builds the flooring element for the sports areas would have to be of the highest quality possible.

It would provide international flooring specialist Gerflor with an opportunity to showcase their world-class Taraflex vinyl sports flooring.

Ipswich-based RW Hall Flooring would take on the serious mantle of ensuring that the installation and its requisite timescale parameters at the Skyliner Sports Centre would be to a standard synonymous with their commitment to quality.

Oliver Hall, managing director at RW Hall Flooring says: "The Skyliner Sports Centre was part of a new high school project in Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds."

He adds: "Concertus were the architects on the project and specified the Gerflor products to be used. We, in fact were contracted by Barnes Construction to complete the actual installation of the flooring."

Hall continues: "Gerflor’s Taraflex MultiUse 6.2mm Wood Black vinyl sports flooring was used in the studio areas and the Taraflex Sport M Performance Terracotta was installed in the main sports hall."

Taraflex Multi-Use 6.2 from Gerflor can be used in various multi-specialist applications and is the affordable sports flooring solution for all new sports centre projects and refurbishments. Taraflex has been used in a host of major sporting events since 1976 and is available in 17 colours and three wood-effect designs.

The Sport M Performance product offers a P2 category shock absorbency 25 percent to 35 percent and meets the EN 14904 Standard for indoor sports surfaces.

Taraflex is recognised for providing durability, safety and comfort without impairing performance. The range also offers greater than 45% force reduction, making it unrivalled in the marketplace in terms of offering comfort for users.

Taraflex also meets the EN Standard of 22196 for antibacterial activity (E. coli, S. aureus, MRSA). While wooden floors are ‘area elastic’, deemed safe for certain types of impact and loading, other impacts for lighter weight users such as exercise classes are uncomfortable due to the hard surface.

Kate Crouch, Abbeycroft Leisure’s Skyliner Sports centre manager said, "We’ve been very pleased with the Gerflor Taraflex sports flooring, since we opened earlier this year. Our members have positively commented about their experience at the gym including the flooring and the equipment. It’s so important to get the flooring right in a sports facility; for the member’s performance; for the staff and for the long-term maintenance."

Crouch adds: "We were also very impressed with the installation process which was efficient and professional and we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Gerflor Taraflex sports flooring again."

The Taraflex ‘point elastic’ flooring has a higher comfort factor than ‘area elastic’ floors and reduces the risk and severity of injuries. The product is also treated with Protecsol. The triple action surface treatment means no polish is ever required contributing to easy maintenance, reduces the potential for skin burns and ensures excellent levels of grip and slide when the users need it most.

Taraflex has a double density foam backing and as another bonus, it’s environmentally friendly. Gerflor have more than 70 years of experience with Taraflex sports flooring. It offers a wide range of colours and is suitable for a variety of applications. It is also ideal for renovation works and is available with the Dry-Tex System perfect for new construction or refurbishment projects with damp subfloors.

Hall concludes: "Gerflor products are really excellent to work with. We have worked with them many times before and would always recommend their sports flooring as they are, in my mind, the best on the market."

Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01926 622 600, emailing

[email protected], or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest innovations.