The Best Seats
In The House

Looking forward to 2016-2017, the Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund (OSRCF) is now accepting applications. The OSRCF is a grant program working toward the goal of getting and keeping the people of Ontario active in community sports, recreation and physical activity.

The program proudly supports projects of up to two years in length that deliver high-quality programs and policies, fostering additional activities to keep residents physically active. In addition to the creation of programs and infrastructure, this grant also aims to embed physical literacy as a foundation for lifelong physical activity, hence enabling individuals to make healthier activity choices.

One of our more recently completed projects brought us just north of Toronto, to the town of Newmarket. Situated in the York region of the Greater Toronto Area, Newmarket is a consistent favourite of MoneySense Magazine when they select the Best Places to Live in Canada each year. Its unique location between the busy streets of downtown Toronto and the cottage country further north, allows this picturesque town the ability to offer the best in amenities, while holding on to its small town charm.

Our project was based at the Magna Centre, located just south of Newmarket’s downtown core. The Magna Centre is a state-of-the-art recreation complex that boasts an Olympic-sized ice rink, three NHL-sized ice rinks, a 25-metre community pool, a 21-metre learning pool, a full-size gymnasium, a walking track, three multi-purpose rooms, a restaurant, pro-shop, as well as the Newmarket Sports Hall of Fame.

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.