Article 7
|
|
|
Member of The
Better Business Bureau
Arizona Small Business Bureau |
The Press Boxby Ryan Winslett, The Fountain Hills Times-- See Photos at the Bottom of this Page! July 2, 2008 Fountain Hills baseball might not have the next Harry Caray at the mike, but that doesn’t mean its announcers shouldn’t be put up with a little style. Until now, local baseball announcers at the middle school were forced to sit at low tables in direct line of the burning sun. Thanks to a project being completed by Dan Chouinard of Earth Friendly Building Materials and his crew, the days of baking in the heat and looking around umpires to see the play are over. Chouinard, who is donating $10,000 worth of materials and labor to the project, said the idea to build the announcers box serves a double purpose. First, this is an obvious chance to give announcers a better view and more comfortable atmosphere for calling the spring games. Secondly, Chouinard said he liked the chance to do an environmentally friendly project with revolutionary new materials. Pulled back from the backstop to allow spectators room to line the fence, the new press box is flanked by two low walls constructed entirely of APEX- BlockTM, comprised of 85 percent recycled Styrofoam. According to Chouinard, APEX-BlockTM delivers superior strength and performance as well as fire resistance and infestation resistance. The press box itself, though, is entirely comprised of Enviro-TiltTM, a product Chouinard has patented. Billed as an environmental solution for tilt-up wall systems, this material is also fire resistant, conserves energy and is cost effective as well as environmentally friendly. “We were looking to make an energy conscious building,” Chouinard said. “These walls, made of concrete on the inside and foam on the outside, are designed to keep the internal temperature in and the external temperature out.” With a small A/C unit installed in the box, announcers should not have to worry about the sun baking their back any longer. “In lieu of chopping down trees, we’re using thermal mass and insulation,” Chouinard said. “It’s as inexpensive as stick frame but superior in thermal quality. With energy costs the way they are, the timing is perfect for something like this.” Chouinard said the project is “green” in every aspect possible. Rather than spending energy on making, transporting and using brick, the building is quick to assemble on site and, utilizing carved stucco to look like brick on the outer layer, it should look pleasing as well. “You could build a bomb shelter out of this,” Chouinard said. “Also, there’s nothing here to rot, mold or get destroyed. “I’d invite everyone out to see it. We think they’ll like it.” To help beef up the baseball program, Chouinard is also looking to sell sponsored pavers to run in front of the press box. For $50, the paver will include an engraving and be installed in the area between the box and the field. For those interested in supporting the program, paver order forms can be obtained through head coach, Mike Briguglio, or by contacting Chouinard at Dan1@EFBM.com.
For More Information Contact: | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Copyright © 2008
Earth Friendly Building Materials
|
