Ursinus College has long been a place that leaves a lasting impression on those who visit. Among its historic buildings is the Helfferich Gym, now renamed the Bakes Athletic Center, where an Acrymax elastomeric roof coating system was first applied in 1986. Remarkably, this system has continued to perform reliably for nearly 40 years. That first application in the 80s was a feat for its time, requiring only periodic maintenance to maintain its integrity. When Acrymax was selected for the project, the gym’s original built-up asphalt roof had begun to decline.

Challenge

In the mid-1980s, the Bakes Athletic Center’s built-up asphalt roof showed signs of significant deterioration and had begun to leak in many places. Ursinus College knew they had to do something, but financial constraints at the time made a complete roof replacement impossible. 

Ursinus needed an alternative solution.

The Acrymax Solution

Recognizing the need for a cost-effective yet durable solution, Acrymax proposed the ARS-1 Reinforced Roof System. This roof restoration system not only offers significant savings over complete replacement it also can be applied in a phased approach. With budgetary concerns in mind, Ursinus College opted to stagger the application process over 2 years for the 40,000-square-foot-roof. The first phase covered about one-third of the roof while making any necessary repairs on the other sections of the roof, The subsequent phases recovered the remaining portions of the roof over the next 24 months. The phased restoration not only took budgetary constraints into account but also ensured minimal disruption to the daily operations of the gym. This strategic approach revitalized the roof while providing a sustainable solution for the university. The College appreciated the fact that the life of the Acrymax system could be extended indefinitely with periodic recoats. 

The Result

Almost 4 decades after the initial roof restoration, the Bakes Athletic Center’s roof is still a testament to the enduring quality of Acrymax’s elastomeric technology. Steve Gehringer, Director of Facilities, recently said, “Back in the 80s, we recovered the asphalt roof on our gymnasium with an Acrymax reinforced roofing system. Today, almost 40 years later, the Acrymax roof membrane is providing outstanding protection and it is still in excellent condition. Periodic recoats have kept it that way.

In addition to the money saved during the initial installation, the ability to recoat and extend the life of the roof indefinitely has continued to provide savings to us. Just last year, we finished up the most recent recoat that should extend the life of the roof for an additional 10 years or more. From an asset management standpoint, the ability to control roofing costs, along with the proven sustainability, has been incredibly valuable to us.” 

As the roof on the Bakes Athletic Center continues to defy the elements, it remains a symbol of the enduring quality and sustainability of Acrymax elastomeric roof coating systems.