Basketball Courts At Bodman Park Resurfaced

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The two basketball courts at Bodman Park have been resurfaced with plastic tiles and are ready for use, Middletown Township announced Friday. The Township opted to install the plastic court flooring instead of traditional concrete because it is cheaper and lasts longer, said Township Administrator Anthony Mercantante.

Middletown hired Matéflex, the oldest U.S. modular tile manufacturer, to install the plastic tiles.

"In 2015 the estimate to repave and refinish the two basketball courts at Bodman Park was $50,000," explained Mercantante. He said he figured the cost would go up in 2017, to be about $55,000.

"The proposal from Mateflex was $49,450. The major advantages are durability and ease of repair. The plastic surface is far more durable than blacktop or concrete," he said.

The plastic is also far less subject to heat and freezing throughout the year, he said.

"Also the Mateflex system comes in 12-foot-by-12-foot tile sections, thus, in the unlikely event of some damage, the damaged area can simply be swapped out with new 'tiles,'" Mercantante said.

The project was paid for from Middletown's 2016’s capital improvements budget. Even if the tiles were more expensive, Middletown still would have gone with the plastic tiles, because they just last longer, he said.

Look for the new 12-foot-by-12-foot blue and green low-glare square tiles on the courts. The tiles were actually developed to enhance the performance of athletes, while also preventing sports injuries.

“We’re excited to be able to bring top-of-the-line sports flooring to Bodman Park, and continue to upgrade our facilities throughout Middletown,” said Mayor Scharfenberger. “These interlocking tiles are safer than traditional surfaces and fast-drying, so players can use the courts shortly after a rainfall and not have to worry about sliding.”

This project is the first of several upcoming improvements to township facilities within the next few years.

The township is proposing to resurface eight of the 16 tennis courts and two basketball courts at Tindall Park in New Monmouth, as well as the tennis courts at Hillside Park in Navesink. Included in the tennis court resurfacing, the township is also looking to add pickleball lines at both parks. The lines will be a different color in order to differentiate between the sports.

“Pickleball has become increasingly popular in Middletown, and we have received numerous requests for pickleball courts from our residents,” “We have heard their wishes and are happy to look to provide these facilities for our community.”