Packalines drawing new sporting opportunities in West Virginia

A world-first product that allows sports centers to mark out temporary playing courts without damaging indoor flooring is helping to grow participation and keep people active at a community center in West Virginia.

Phil Gainer Community Center serves as a multi-purpose hub for the small community of Elkins, and Packalines – developed by sports innovator Packaworld International -- are allowing them to cater for a wider variety of sports.

Chris Lee, Phil Gainer Community Center’s facility manager, said the Packalines have largely been utilized for volleyball at this stage.

“They’re an absolute perfect temporary line system for a multi-purpose facility,” Lee said. ​

​“I can throw them down for a volleyball training session in minutes and have them packed up quickly to make way for one of any number of rentals we get here at the center.”

The recently upgraded community center, located near downtown Elkins, includes a resurfaced 10,000 square-foot multi-purpose hall and gym floor – lined for an array of sports – as well as a stage area and meeting room. 

“Protecting this new floor was a key driver for using Packalines at the Phil Gainer Community Center,” Lee said.

“Temporary tape – even the stuff that is meant for temporary lining – can do long-lasting damage to gym floors. After doing some research, Packalines are the only temporary line system I could find that doesn’t involve tape or chalk.

“This is a great product for its intended use. I couldn’t be happier to have them here at the center.”

Packalines were originally designed to temporarily mark areas for the wheelchair-accessible sport of boccia, as the lines can be rolled over and stepped on. But they will move if kicked. 

“We are already receiving some great feedback. Initial skepticism about the lines slipping underfoot was quickly dismissed.

“The main benefit of using Packalines at the Phil Gainer Community Center is that it allows me to cater to clients training in a variety of sports without having to overwhelm my floor space with distracting permanent sports lines.”

Local youth programs use the gym throughout spring and summer to prepare for the volleyball fall season, and the center is considering starting an adult volleyball league in winter.

The Phil Gainer Community Center has purchased additional sets of Packalines since its initial trial, which it plans to use for tennis and pickleball in the near future.

“I have a new gym floor that people are excited to use for these sports but right now I don’t have the necessary lines for them to use it. Packalines are the perfect solution.”

Packaworld Chief Executive Peter Roberts said he was thrilled to see the Packalines making such a positive difference. While they were purpose-built for boccia, a growing number of facilities were making use of them for other purposes.

>> Need more information about Packaworld's new temporary court line markings? Visit our Packaline product page.