We started having classes in the new dojo last week January 14th, 2014. The brand new students may not appreciate the new mat but I have heard several positive comments from older students about the improvement. Dr Allum thinks the new mat will add at least 10 years to his budo career.
The picture is a single piece of the new mat. 27 three inch ethafoam blocks under a sheet of 1/2 inch plywood. A second sheet of 1/2 inch plywood to cover the joints. Then a 2 inch thick Swain tatami mat on top. The mats are all held in place with cleats on the edges so they do not slide around. I have many more pictures of the mat process and will make a formal post dedicated only to the mat building process at some point.
The dojo is a work in progress. As finances allow we will make it much prettier than it is now. Good news is the heat works now.
Anyone is welcome to stop by when we have class times and observe a class to decide if we provide the right environment for your training needs.