Removable wall padding was once a ubiquitous feature in school gymnasiums, but it has progressively fallen out of favor due to a multitude of safety concerns and maintenance issues. The primary issue stemmed from the fact that the padding was, by design, removable. This feature, while intended to allow for flexibility and occasional removal for cleaning or other athletic purposes, was often exploited by students who would deliberately take the pads off the walls. This not only left unsightly gaps and exposed hard surfaces, creating a risk of impact injuries, but also led to the pads themselves being damaged or lost.
The process of reinstalling the pads was also often carried out haphazardly, with little regard for proper alignment or secure attachment. This resulted in pads that were misaligned, loose, or even completely detached, posing a significant hazard to students engaged in physical activity. The constant removal and replacement also led to accelerated wear and tear on both the pads and the wall surfaces, necessitating frequent repairs and replacements.
In response to these issues, many schools have opted to replace removable wall padding with permanent solutions. These systems are typically installed directly onto the wall and cannot be easily removed, eliminating the risk of students tampering with them. They are also designed to be more durable and impact-resistant, ensuring a safer environment for students. Additionally, permanent wall padding often has a longer lifespan than removable options, reducing the need for frequent replacements and ultimately saving schools money in the long run. While the initial cost of installation may be higher, the improved safety, durability, and reduced maintenance requirements make permanent wall padding a worthwhile investment for schools looking to create a safer and more enjoyable gym experience for their students.
And while one of our more recent wall padding upgrade projects did not take place at a school, the story remains the same.
The North Toronto Chinese Baptist Church reached out to us for assistance with their gym's safety padding. Their existing removable wall padding had been severely damaged due to misuse by children, who had been taking the pads off the walls and using them for other purposes. This resulted in missing pads and exposed corners, creating a hazardous environment for the kids playing basketball and other sports in the gym.
Recognizing the urgent need to ensure the children's safety, the church was eager to implement a solution that would provide comprehensive protection along all four walls of the gym. They contacted us to assess the situation and provide a plan to replace the damaged removable padding with our permanent wall pads.
Responding promptly to their request, we visited the church's gym to conduct a thorough evaluation. We meticulously measured all the walls and corners to gather the necessary information for a precise quotation. Upon receiving our quote, the church approved the proposal, and we initiated the process of manufacturing and installing our permanent wall and corner pads.
As part of the project, while we visited the church on our first trip we were also asked if we could assist them with a new gym floor installation. While gym floors are not in our specific wheelhouse, we proudly recommended our partners over at Advantage Sport. The team at Advantage Sport are the flooring experts we’ve come to know and trust for these types of projects.
Together with the new flooring, the new permanent wall pads provide a safe place to play that looks great while protecting athletes all the while.