Better Subfloor (instead of concrete)

This is a request for funding in support of Movement Arts of Chico, an emerging

not-for-profit arts organization located in downtown Chico.

Movement Arts is a collective of interdisciplinary artists who have been actively engaged in arts and culture in Chico for decades. We are investing in our downtown district as an arts and entertainment center to serve, connect and inspire our community. Since we opened at 254 E. First Street in July of 2022, we have hosted cultural dance, music, yoga and Capoeira (Afro-Brazilian Martial Art) classes as well as art openings and fairs, dances, conferences and showings. We are inclusive of all ages, ethnicities and art forms.

We have been able to transform the space, a 1700 square foot room with a concrete floor, into an attractive multi-use facility. Though we have a laminate surface over the concrete floor, our most immediate need is to install a resilient subfloor designed to provide a high level of shock absorption for movement and dance. This is the bottom line for protection from injuries for our dancers and martial artists. It will allow us to market the space more widely for active use.

The current floor was installed this summer. It is laminate flooring over carpet and concrete. This has been a great floor for the time being, however, the impact on the body is substantial. A semi-raised floor would create greater shock absorption and prevent injuries for all users.

But what is the best option? What are the benchmarks of a good sprung floor?

Most floors are created with grids of lumber and disks of foam. A floating floor, sprung floor, is based on air under all the surface points. The air is put in place in the form of foam.

The most cost-effective strategy is using pool noodles! There are many tutorials to describe how this fairly simple process is accomplished. Our greatest cost will be for the lumber.

The estimated cost for materials is:

$5,000 (lumber and carpentry supplies, caulking adhesive and polyethylene discs)

* We have generous access to volunteer labor

We plan on using the current laminate flooring as the final surface for our new and improved floor!