The Best Seats
In The House

Guest Blog Post Authored By: Advanced Padding Systems

As you can very likely imagine, we receive all kinds of inquiries, covering everything from quick pricing questions on small padding projects to detailed RFPs for large institutions. But no matter the size, one request that stands out more than most is for our fire-rated safe room padding. Our Fire-Rated Wall Padding (PV-89) has become the go-to solution for architects, spec writers, and facility managers designing custom de-escalation rooms, calming spaces, and seclusion rooms in healthcare, education, and care facilities.

With well over 40 years of experience under our belts, we thrive on turning complex visions into tangible results, especially when it comes to custom grandstands. Our clients always appreciate how we are able to provide a comprehensive, full-service experience, from initial design and precise costing to seamless collaboration with key stakeholders. Over the years, we’ve found this end-to-end support keeps projects on track, on budget, and moving forward without unnecessary delays.

If you’ve been following along on our blog, you’ll remember our feature on the custom seating upgrade we completed for Rink A at the Nick Smith Arena. That project was a great example of how our team can turn tight spaces and unique site challenges into comfortable, fully accessible spectator seating.

With that in mind, we’re excited to share that the entire Nick Smith Arena project is now officially complete as we’ve just finished installing the custom bleachers for Rink B. As many of us know, no two arenas are the same and it is those on-site-obstacles, including limited space and strict budget parameters, that are all part of the challenge we love tackling.

Last fall, we shared the story of our impressive 15-row grandstand installation at the 2025 Canada Games in Newfoundland and Labrador. The project most certainly served as a true testament to our expertise in crafting high-quality spectator seating solutions, only to be followed up by our most recent coverage of another standout element of that project which just so happened to be a unique, custom-designed 6-row bleacher that perfectly complemented the venue's needs. As we’ve said many times before, we're passionate about pushing the boundaries of bleacher manufacturing to create accessible, functional, and spectator-friendly designs. Let's explore how this custom piece came to life and became a fan favorite during last year’s Games.

In addition to having built our hometown headquarters in the same town the late, great James Naismith was born, we also share it with a number of other colourful and historic people and places. One such location is nestled along the bank of the Mississippi River, which in addition to hosting our town’s annual fair, is also home to a one-of-a-kind grandstand.

Who doesn’t love a good custom job?

Across Canada, municipalities are breathing new life into aging arenas and community centres,either through full upgrades or thoughtful additions. These facilities are the heart of local recreation, and outdated spectator seating just doesn’t cut it anymore.

Here at Sport Systems, we’re proud to partner on these projects, delivering state-of-the-art spectator seating that meets modern demands. Gone are the days of cold concrete risers or worn-out wooden bleachers that should have been retired years ago. Today’s installations must fully comply with the National Building Code (NBC) requirements for spectator seating, prioritizing safety, durability, and inclusivity.

Working closely, once again, with the good folks over at the Thames Valley District School Board, we're thrilled to announce the successful completion of our latest project at Glendale High School in Tillsonburg, Ontario. After fielding an initial inquiry, our team was awarded the contract to upgrade their gymnasium seating, ensuring a safer and more efficient space for students, staff, and spectators.

Any time we get the chance to work with one of Canada's premier institutions, one that boasts a rich history in academics and athletics, we get pumped up. Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto is renowned for its Varsity Blues teams, which compete at the highest levels in university Sports. The swimming program, in particular, has a storied legacy dating back to the 1950s, producing elite athletes and maintaining a competitive edge in national and international competitions. At the heart of its aquatics facilities is the Varsity Pool, an impressive 8-lane, 50-meter Olympic-sized pool located in the Athletic Centre on the St. George campus. This venue supports everything from recreational swimming and instructional programs to high-stakes Varsity Blues meets, fostering a vibrant community of swimmers, coaches, and spectators.

If you’ve found yourself in the middle of a large-scale and completely custom bleacher project, finding the right partner is the name of the game.  With plenty of moving parts, these projects require careful planning and attention to detail. While there are certainly many options out there when it comes to bleacher suppliers, there are few with the expertise necessary to pull off the majority of projects.

Eden High School in St. Catharines, Ontario, has long been a hub for student athletics in the Niagara region. With the recent addition of a state-of-the-art synthetic turf field and track as part of the District School Board of Niagara’s multi-school initiative, the need for high-quality spectator seating became essential.