The Home Court Advantage

Posted by Eric Schulz on January 15, 2008

One of the things that amazes me working here at EnergySolutions Arena is the way the operations staff is able to magically convert the building overnight to accommodate all of the different events held here.  One night it’s configured for a Jazz game; the next morning, a concert stage has been set up; then the next day ice goes in for a Disney show.  One of our elementary school classes wanted to know about how the EnergySolutions staff manages to get the basketball court installed and taken down so often.  To get the answer, I went to the guy who knows, Jamie Galileo, who manages the EnergySolutions Arena operations and maintenance.  Here’s the Q & A:

1. Does it (the floor) go down on the same day the team plays?

Jamie:  The floor is usually installed a day or two ahead of the next Jazz game, or is left in place if there isn’t any reason to pull it up for a concert or other event. On game days, the Jazz practice on the floor at 10 a.m., and the visiting team practices at 11 a.m., so the floor and the arena need to be ready by game morning.

2. How many pieces are there for the floor, and how does it “lock” together?

Jamie:  210 pieces (15 rows of 14 pieces). The floor goes together like a jigsaw puzzle, with interlocking edges on each piece to ensure it goes together tight.

3. How many people does it take to put it in?

Jamie: 8 to 10

4. How long does it take?

Jamie: 3 to 4 hours

5. What do they do when the team changes colors, logos, or sponsors- do they do a new floor or scrape the paint off of the old one?

Jamie: We sand off the old paint and put down the new paint. When we changed the arena name from Delta Center to EnergySolutions Arena, we put a giant vinyl bumper sticker over the “Delta Center” logo until the team went out of town for the Christmas road trip, then repainted the new logo.

6. Does it cover up the ice rink?

Jamie: Not anymore. Back in the early days of the Delta Center, the floor was often laid over the ice for the “Golden Eagles” or “Grizzlies” hockey team. But since EnergySolutions Arena doesn’t have a hockey team playing here anymore, ice is only put down for the “Disney On Ice” shows, which happen when the team is out of town on a long road trip.

7. Why doesn’t it buckle when the players run across it?

Jamie:  It’s locked together really well and very tight.

So there you have it….the answer to the Jazz home court!

2 Comments

Linda McFarland on January 16, 2008 said:

It’s not only the school kids who like to know this type question. Thanks for going after the information and thanks Jamie for taking the time to answer the questions.

Jon on January 16, 2008 said:

I want to know: what about when they have to set up for a Blaze game? Is a completely different floor or are there parts in common?

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