A well-known location overlooking the Fox River recently received a flooring makeover with the assistance of H.J. Martin and Mannington.  A collaborative space that hosts everything from social events to business meetings to community gatherings, the Riverview Gardens Community Center was in need of a fresh look after years of heavy use.

Mannington and H.J. Martin stepped up to recarpet the entire facility, using 1,089 square yards of donated product.  The project was completed the week of Thanksgiving (Nov. 24-26) in order to minimize disruption to the venue’s schedule.

Riverview Gardens is a financially self-sustaining social enterprise, focused on job training for people in need, using urban farming and a park setting in downtown Appleton, Wis.  Area residents and businesses are engaged in community stewardship through volunteerism, collaborations and partnerships toward a common goal of ending poverty, homelessness and unemployment.

The organization’s ServiceWorks job-training program participated in the project by first removing all of the old carpet.  H.J. Martin personnel then oversaw the installation of a variety of donated Mannington products: Kipling carpet, Terrain and Montage carpet tiles.  The expertise of the company’s installers was called upon for the difficult, patterned broadloom carpet (Kipling).

“The existing carpet had been in for a long period of time, probably over 20 years,” says Cindy Sahofsky, executive director of Riverview Gardens.  “There had been a lot of damage to the carpet and it was totally outdated in the pattern.

“The new carpet is absolutely beautiful.  It fits in with our mission of being an urban farm – it looks like leaves, it’s green and brown – and it’s totally up to date.  What it really allows us to do is to provide a beautiful environment for people who are having the most memorable day of their lives here.  Thanks to H.J. Martin and Mannington, our facility looks absolutely beautiful.”

Sahofsky indicated that another benefit of the Riverview Gardens flooring makeover was the practical experience the organization’s job trainees received from H.J. Martin personnel.

But, while H.J. Martin staff performed the installation, it was not alone in assisting Riverview Gardens.

“This project would not have been possible without the generosity of Mannington and Kurt Topp,” says Gary VandenLangenberg, vice president of commercial interiors for H.J. Martin.  “We appreciate their community-minded focus and willingness to participate.”

Mannington is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fine flooring.  Founded in 1915 and based in Salem, N.J., the company produces residential and commercial sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl, laminate, hardwood and porcelain tile floors, as well as commercial carpet and rubber.