The Best Seats
In The House

As we move into the new school year, we mark the completion of a record breaking summer season for the replacement of retractable bleachers for us at Sport Systems. Our most recent telescopic bleacher replacement project was a big help in pushing us over the top.

Back in July, we were commissioned by MGP Architects-Engineer Inc. on behalf of the Algoma District School Board. The project required us not only to remove and dispose of their existing wooden bleachers, but also to supply and install our 2400 series KODIAK Telescopic Bleacher Systems in three schools across the School Board.

Given the timing of the project, it was obvious that we were going to be under some tight timelines in order to have the deliverables completed before the start of the school year.

We quickly got to work immediately after the contract was awarded, operating as the general contractor to oversee the removal and disposal of the existing bleachers on site, as well as any corresponding electrical work. The existing bleachers had to be removed in a timely fashion, allowing the care staff at each institution enough time to perform any and all floor resurfacing and maintenance as needed.

As part of the gymnasium renovations at Parry Sound High School, we were commissioned last month by W.S. Morgan Construction on behalf of the Near North District School Board to supply and install a new set of  retractable bleachers.

The first step for most facilities is evaluating the bleacher systems available to them, and determining whether or not telescopic bleachers are a good fit. These seating solutions offer facility operators a versatile spectator seating solution, giving them the opportunity to seat the masses when need be, or simple tuck the seating away for extended floor space for non-spectator events.

Portable bleachers can be a great addition to any sports facility, giving your added versatility and the ability for your fans to watch your event in multiple locations. There are a couple of factors to consider when thinking about purchasing transportable bleachers, firstly whether they will be used primarily indoors or outdoors and then you must determine what size of bleachers your facility will need.

For indoor applications our Tip & Roll Portable Bleachers are tough to beat. Just as the name suggests, these bleachers can easily be tipped up and rolled to any suitable location inside your facility and can typically be moved by just one person. These units have the ability to seat anywhere from 16-42 people depending on the size chosen, and allow for easy movement for using multiple units to increase crowd size.

Typically speaking, elevated bleachers are larger in size and are used when spectator visibility is a main concern. These elevated units offer a clear line of sight by eliminating visual distractions, such as passers-by, walls, barricades or other ground-level obstructions.

The qualifying feature of elevated bleachers is that when one sits in the front row, their feet are at the same heigh as the elevated front walkway.  The elevation is determined by the client's specific needs and in most cases require stairs, ramps & handrails.

Conversely, non-elevated bleachers are usually smaller and more versatile and require no additional walkways or stairwells.  With non-elevated bleachers, when sitting on the first row, spectators' feet are at ground level.

Below we have included a number of images to help you further visually decipher the difference between the two types of bleachers:

               Elevated Bleachers - University Of Ottawa                                                                 Non-Elevated Bleachers

Whether you operate or are part of an indoor or outdoor athletic facility, the issue of useable space is often a topic of discussion. Today, we expect more from our sports fields and facilities optimizing both available space and cost effectiveness.

The majority of smaller bleachers are designed using the standard angle frame structure, ensuring a solid foundation for your spectator seating. While this design does not pose any problems whatsoever and is widely used across North America, more outdoor facilities are switching to the permanent I-Beam structure for use with their grandstand seating.

Having gone through the process of deciding which seating solution is right for your indoor gymnasium seating needs, you have settled on telescopic seating, simply because of its unbeatable versatility.

After evaluating and making the initial decision to go with a telescopic bleacher system for your gymnasium, the next question is what type of seating you would prefer for your future spectators.

When it comes to the actual seating platform, you have a couple of additional choices to make, depending on the exact needs of your facility:

Time marches on, and as we all lead busy lives, we sometimes can accidentally overlook routine maintenance of equipment found in our athletic facilities and sports fields. We have compiled a quick 6-point checklist you can use to constantly assess the condition of your bleachers to ensure they are always in tip top shape for the big game.

Have a good look at everything

This one is easy and quite obvious; get out and do a quick walk around your bleachers or grandstand seating. Be sure to carefully inspect the stairs and ramps, making sure they are clear of debris and are in good working condition. If you notice anything else along your walk through, make sure you carry a notebook and make notes of anything that might affect the smooth operation of your bleachers.

Sightlines

In this business, the fans are always right and providing them with the best viewing experience is on top of the list.  Maintaining consistent sightlines can be a complex task, but we make it our mission to ensure spectator satisfaction with all bleacher systems sold and serviced by our team. 

Choosing the proper bleacher system for your athletic facility is never an easy task, as there are a variety of variable that can come in to play during the selection period. When choosing outdoor bleachers, the choice can be narrowed down quite a bit based on type of system and number of seats needed.

Indoor seating systems can be another breed. There too exists a varied selection depending on the specific needs of your athletic facility.

A main point of interest for most looking at indoor bleacher seating options is versatility. This is a strong point for the telescopic bleacher system (also known as retractable or reverse fold bleachers).

Telescopic bleachers give your facility an extra level of versatility and can be an instrumental in maximizing the allotted space in your particular facility. Today, facility managers are always looking for innovative solutions to the specific needs of their facility with regards to allocated space for sports, participants and spectators.

We know that sporting events and university lectures aren’t exactly black tie affairs, but sometimes bleacher seating just doesn’t cut it. While a lecture hall is no place for doing the wave, a pep rally probably shouldn’t be held in an auditorium. These types of venues, and the events they house, call for a classier style of fixed seating.

Lecture Hall Seating

When a college student takes his seat in the classroom, he doesn’t need a level of comfort that rivals the recliner in his dorm room, (in fact, it’d be best if it was nowhere near that comfortable…). What student does need is a supportive chair to keep him alert, and a desk surface for taking notes.

Sport Systems has a variety of available lecture hall seating options to meet a range of different project specs and budgetary needs.