Sports Equipment & Infrastructure Blog | Sport Systems - Building A Better Game

New ADA-Certified Bleacher Additions for a New York School

Written by Ryan Wilby | Sep 23, 2022 7:53:55 PM

Sports play a significant role in the lives of many students ranging from elementary school through high school. While encouraging coaches, new uniforms and exceptional facilities contribute towards the positive experiences of players, the support of family and friends is what ultimately makes or breaks their time on the field or court. Understanding the importance of family and friend involvement during athletic events, a school in Blind Brook, New York reached out to Sports Systems and requested help in better accommodating their visitors.

Recruiting assistance from our partners at Tri-State Folding Partitions, the school’s current seating arrangements were evaluated. While not deteriorating or unsafe, the current bleachers overlooking the athletic field were not up to ADA standards. This meant that those requiring special accommodations would be unable to comfortably enjoy games, ultimately discouraging game attendance. Determined to remedy this situation, our team got to work right away in providing the equipment needed to obtain ADA certification.

The primary goal of this project was to provide an easier passageway between the bleacher seats and sidewalk. By providing railings along the walkways and adding a ramp, individuals with limited mobility are now able to sit amongst other spectators and cheer on their loved ones. While a seemingly small task, this project required attention to detail and customization in order for the pre-existing structure to be able to accommodate the new additions.

In the end, the altered bleachers at the school received ADA certification. With increased accessibility, the new seating arrangements will allow for aging relatives and those with mobility issues to enjoy games with everyone else. It is our hope that the school hosts many record wins and that families will continue to gather in support of their loved ones.