The Best Seats
In The House

With COVID-19 still  a real concern across much of the world and particularly here in North America, many are asking what a potential re-opening, if any, for the athletic and sports industry could look like. While we certainly can’t pretend to have all of the answers, keeping a finger on the pulse of the industry is what we do. Here’s what we are learning about re-opening plans and what they could entail over the coming weeks and months.

Bleachers and Seating

As facilities begin to plan welcoming back participants and possible spectators, much has gone into the planning of seating. It’s obvious at this point that sitting elbow-to-elbow in a bank of bleachers will unlikely be an option for the foreseeable future. When it comes to smaller venues, we are seeing an uptick in small bleacher orders. Many operators are ordering additional seating that would allow seating for a similar number of spectators while maintaining physical distancing.

Recently, we headed back to the Waterloo region of Ontario where just last year we aided the University of Waterloo in revamping their Columbia Icefields Centre.  The athletic complex, which opened in early 2014 came to our team when the need for a customized bleacher solution was required for the arena within the multi-use facility.

It was then our team installed a three-row arena bleacher system complete with extended rear decking for standing room viewing, contoured seating with numbering and custom vinyl end curtains complete with the University’s logo.

One of our more recent projects brought us to the Waterloo region in the province of Ontario.  Home to what many refer to as Canada’s high tech capital, it is also home of the University of Waterloo.  Established by a group of business leaders back in 1957, the university has blossomed into a hub of education boasting some of Canada’s leading quantum computing, nanotechnology, engineering and health science students.

It is also home to the Waterloo Warriors, with varsity teams competing in a variety of athletic disciplines such as hockey, baseball, basketball, cheerleading, rugby, football, golf, tennis and other competitive sports.