Western Specialty Contractors’ Minneapolis, MN Branch recently applied a pedestrian traffic coating to the spectator area at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Soderholm Family Aquatic Center.
The centerpiece of the university’s Nicholas Recreation Center, “The Nick,” the Soderholm Family Aquatic Center is home to a 50-meter pool, which can be converted into a pair of 25-yard pools and a 25-yard diving well. The aquatic center, opened in January 2021, is used by the Wisconsin swimming and diving team for official competitions.
The State of Wisconsin, Department of Administration, hired Western to apply the pedestrian traffic coating to protect the spectator area from wear and tear and to provide a slip-resistant, safer surface for visitors. Generally made of polyurethane, epoxy, and acrylic-based materials, pedestrian traffic coatings are durable, waterproof layers applied to concrete or plywood surfaces, such as balconies, walkways, and plazas, to protect them from wear and tear and the elements.
When applied with squeegees, rollers, or brushes, the coating creates a seamless, protective membrane that prevents water from penetrating, helping reduce deterioration.
The project was to take two weeks to complete. Western’s experienced waterproofing crew prepped the concrete surface the first week of August 2025 and applied the coating the following week. Unfortunately, during the university’s back-to-school weekend, someone on a self-guided tour of the facility walked on the coating before it had fully cured, compromising the finish.
Western sent a crew back to sand the damaged areas and recoat the entire floor in two days to maintain the coating’s integrity. The project was completed on August 25, 2025, within budget and to the customer’s satisfaction.
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About Western Specialty Contractors
Family-owned and operated for more than 100 years, Western Specialty Contractors is the nation’s largest specialty contractor in masonry and concrete restoration, waterproofing, and specialty roofing. Western offers a nationwide network of expertise that building owners, engineers, architects, and property managers can count on to develop cost-effective, corrective measures that can add years of useful life to a variety of structures, including industrial, commercial, healthcare, historic, educational and government buildings, parking structures, and sports stadiums. Western is headquartered in St. Louis, MO, with 30 branch offices nationwide and employs more than 1,200 salaried and hourly professionals who offer the best, time-tested techniques and innovative technology. For more information about Western Specialty Contractors, visit https://westernspecialtycontractors.com.