The Best Seats
In The House

Photo depicting divider panels.  Photo Credit: Cornwall Standard-Freeholder  

Steady growth in popularity has helped the sport of hockey gain a broader audience and a larger pool of players from all over North America. According to USA Hockey, there were more people playing hockey in the United States than ever recorded before during the 2013-2014 season.

Where analysts are seeing huge growth in the sport, are with registrants aged 6 and under. The number of registrants in this very young age group has grown by about 4% per year since 2013 and does not show much sign of slowing down.

With the rapid expansion of trampoline parks across North America, we have added an additional arm to our padding business. What was once a group of a few hobbyists, is now a complete industry with many markets offering multiple locations of trampoline parks.

Traditional features of these parks are large indoor spaces with wall-to-wall trampolines for users of all ages to enjoy. These facilities range in size and can be anywhere from 10,000 square feet to 40,000 square feet, allowing users to jump, twist and flip in a controlled environment.

Our most recent project came to us from Emerald Park, Saskatchewan, home of Boomers Air Park. The facility measures over 12,500 square feet and features floor trampolines, wall trampolines, foam pits, light shows and a fantastic sound system designed to provide their clientele with a healthy form of fun. After your bouncing session, take a break in the park’s food court or lounge area adorned with big screen TV’s for your enjoyment.

When planning a large construction project such as the design and installation of a large-scale bleacher or grandstand structure, it is important to evaluate the materials used for the base of the structure. A number of variables come in to play when planning a new bleacher build, including but not limited to: structure strength, budget and spectator safety.

The three main types of construction for these large structures are concrete, wood, and steel frames and studs. While each has its advantages and drawbacks, we will go through each process in depth below to help you make the best decision possible for your new grandstand bleacher structure.

Earlier this summer, we were awarded the contract to design, fabricate and install the grandstand bleachers for the new Greater Vernon Athletics Park (GVAP) in Coldstream, British Columbia. Located in the heart of the picturesque Okanagan Valley, the GVAP consists of a synthetic turf field, synthetic running track, natural turf field, complete track and field facilities, and a new building that houses concessions, washrooms, a classroom, officials’ rooms and change rooms.

This project was unique as the site had been carved out and required the bleacher structure to be built on a remaining hillside on the site. The top of the hill featured an existing asphalt pathway, so as part of our design process, we were required to ensure that the top deck of the bleacher would sit flush with the path above. The bottom or front of the bleacher was also designed to house an existing electrical kiosk, and is now located beneath the structure with a custom-designed access door, granting maintenance staff easy access when needed. Given the unique state of the grounds, our team was also responsible for the structural design of the concrete foundations that the bleacher would eventually bear on.

With so many options available today, it can be difficult to select the indoor volleyball system that is best suited for your facility. In today’s market, facility operators are focused on providing their users with a high-quality product, but that can also fit in strict budget restraints when applicable.

We have spent the past 35 years supplying and manufacturing the very best in athletic equipment and infrastructure with two main goals in mind: to provide our growing customer base with the very best quality products available and following up with the very best in customer experience.

This past June, our team got to work on a large, customized arena bleacher project with our partners at Omni Sport in Frog Lake, Alberta. This large project consisted of a clear-span beam-styled design that would allow the existing dressing rooms to be located beneath the bleachers upon completion.

The first phase of this project saw our team design a custom rise-and-run combination to accommodate the set mezzanine that was designed to be loaded from the top.  The aluminum decking was then installed to successfully complete the initial phase of this project.

As this grandstand was designed for use in an arena, the second phase of this project entailed a seating solution that would not only provide comfort to spectators, but that would also provide more warmth than the exposed aluminum decking would in a cold environment.

For most educational facilities, indoor volleyball is a staple sport played in gymnasiums, particularly as we shift into the winter season. For most facilities, setting up for volleyball practice and games can be relatively time-consuming and can often require a number of teachers or support staff to physically set up the nets.

While ceiling-suspended volleyball systems are available, for most facilities they may not be necessary or within their budget constraints. To alleviate some of the set-up time, we proudly carry and install a number of volleyball accessories that can be permanently placed within the gymnasium flooring and provide added stability during play.

Floor Sockets & Sleeves

These accessories make a world of difference when planning and setting up a volleyball system, especially in busy facilities where multiple sports are played. These sockets are installed right into the gymnasium floor and are compatible with both floating and non-floating synthetic gym flooring. Each socket is constructed of heavy-gauge steel for optimum stability and support and allow volleyball uprights to be removed efficiently and stored out of the way during other court activities. Sizing varies based on each facility’s unique needs, so inside diameters are available in 4’, 3.5” or 3” sizes and you can choose from 12”, 10” and 9” depths. Obviously, the deeper these sockets are placed within your flooring, the greater the stability and strength provided for your volleyball nets.

As time passes us by, the equipment in our facilities does not always necessarily need replacement. Obviously this statement is contingent on a number of factors such as how the equipment or machinery was maintained, its age, current condition, and operational soundness of the equipment in question.

These are some of the biggest reasons we employ and recommend regularly scheduled maintenance on equipment such as, basketball systems, bleachers and grandstands and also have our own in-house inspection program for athletic facilities. Our Orange Zone inspection program is the most thorough inspection for athletic facilities and covers all areas of the gymnasium and each piece of equipment utilized by that organization.

Our most recent project took us to a local high school which, much the same as a number of facilities today, had a set of older telescopic bleachers and was interested in giving them somewhat of a facelift. After assessing the equipment, our team and the facility operators came to the conclusion that the existing bleachers were in great shape, but could use one of the main benefits of today’s telescopic bleacher seating systems; electrical operation.

Most of us have accepted it; winter is officially on its way and before we know it, the snow will start flying. With professional hockey season now underway, along with thousands of other recreational leagues across North America, arena facility operators are evaluating the condition of their hockey nets.

While most might assume it best to upgrade existing hockey goals, nets and fenders before the hockey seasons begin, sometimes that just is not possible. With so many arenas hosting hockey leagues and other events all year round, it is getting harder and harder to find a facility that actually experiences a great deal of downtime on the ice.

Whether it is a psychological cue due to the changing weather, the fact is this time of year is when we typically see an increase in requests from our ice-loving hockey and arena facility operators. This is also a time when many new builds are finally completed before the frost and newly founded arenas are in search of officially sized and professional-quality hockey goals and nets.

Riding on the wish of a local young woman with developmental disabilities, Augusta Street Park in our hometown of Almonte, Ontario, received a much need facelift. Sarah Spinks’ request was a simple one: to play basketball with her friends at the local outdoor basketball court closely situated to her home.

Earlier this month her wish was not only granted but exceeded. NBA Canada and Bell Canada stepped up and provided funding in the form of a US$19,780 grant, through a program spearheaded by Jeff Mills and his community-focused organization, Mills Community Support. In addition to the grant mentioned above, local organizations, The Hub and the Almonte Civitan, pitched in approximately $9,000 collectively to make this local wish a reality.