The Best Seats
In The House

Our custom padding department recently answered the call for another unusual and highly customized padding job.  We were approached by Crestwood High School in Peterborough, Ontario to design some padding as part of some recent renovations to the gymnasium.

Serving as home to the Mustangs, the school began a list of renovations which included some brand-new storage units that would allow for additional athletic equipment to be stored when not in use. Because these units run along the edge of the sports court they required the installation of safety padding to protect student athletes.

Recreation centres provide community members with access to a variety of resources. With intentional efforts made to promote inclusivity, programming can range from bingo for the elderly
to after-school programs for children and swimming facilities for families. However, catering to a diverse community also presents challenges. For individuals with physical, cognitive, or behavioural challenges, these centres must also provide properly trained staff and additional accommodations in their buildings. With organizations such as the Dovercourt Recreation Centre, special attention has been placed on meeting the needs of those experiencing behavioural difficulties. To address the centre’s goal, our team was brought in to provide a safe “calming space” for their facility.

Oftentimes, Sport Systems is approached by clients for a variety of reasons. While new equipment is often requested to replace old or damaged items, there are scenarios in which the update is needed for rebranding purposes. Contacting our team for the latter reason, Central Hastings School determined that new stage and wall padding was in order to help accommodate the transition that the school was undergoing.

One of 69 schools in the Anglophone South School District, Glen Falls School represents only a small percentage of the students in Saint John, New Brunswick. While membership among such a large group provides opportunities for collaborations and community, it also comes with challenges. Similar to the way in which a child of a large family may receive divided attention from their parents, small schools like Glen Falls must share the District’s resources with surrounding institutions. Nonetheless, the uniqueness of Glen Falls School cannot be ignored and is even represented by its mascot — a bright, yellow star.

With business connections extending overseas, families geographically scattered, and new vacation destinations continually being introduced, most find themselves in an airport at one point or another. While flying is one of the most common modes of transportation, its biggest deterrent is discomfort. Teaming up to address the potential concerns of travelers, the Halifax-Stanfield International Airport has worked hard to address the physical discomforts of travelers while the US Customs and Border
Protection services (USCBP) maintains safety as its highest priority.

To be successful in any of life’s endeavors, a certain amount of discipline is required. The idea of
behind-the-scene investment is simply put with the phrase, “you get what you give.” For example, a musician is expected to frequently rehearse leading up to a performance, and a student is expected to study before a test. When it comes to athletics, the amount of time spent training off the field or the court informs an athlete’s performance during each game. Recognizing the important role that training plays in the success of their athletes, St. Mark High School has invested in providing their students with the facilities needed to perfect their craft.

We’ve always said, our strength as a company is as good as the people with whom we work. While most might think this refers to our immediate colleagues and co-workers, for us, it goes well
beyond that.

We have partners. A wide network of them. They include those that work in our front office, in our manufacturing facility, our suppliers and our trusted network of dealers spanning the globe.

As an organization, onboarding new partners of any kind is not something we take lightly. When it comes to expanding our global footprint, we carefully select those who exhibit a set of shared values on which we have built this company for the past 40 years.

In a world that is becoming increasingly competitive, the beneficial aspects of collaboration can go unrecognized. The term “group project” can evoke a sense of dread, whether one has experienced a team assignment from the perspective of a slacker or team leader. While collaborative efforts can pose significant challenges, the complementary pairings of experts are well worth the risk. Recently, the partnership between Sport Systems and RMG Contract Interiors Inc. (RMG) provided an extremely successful outcome for three Ontario schools.

Don McGahan Clubhouse - McArthur Ave.

It is commonly believed that if everyone viewed the world through the eyes of children, society would be a much better place. Despite being at more preliminary stages of development, children see no value-based distinction amongst varying ethnicities, genders, or socioeconomic backgrounds. Implementing this child-like acceptance and celebrating the differences of each individual, the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa (BGC) has created a safe space for children and teens aged 6-18.

While we all certainly enjoy watching something come to fruition, there is something extra special about being involved in the revitalization of something as well. Over the years, we’ve been blessed to be involved in a number of these types of projects ranging from local community centres and schools all the way to nationally recognized institutions such as Queen’s University.

We’ve been granted access to stripped out gymnasiums and open athletic fields to design and eventually install state-of-the-art athletic equipment and infrastructure. From simple bleachers, to basketball systems to complete grandstands designed to accommodate tens of thousands of fans, these projects have and always will hold a special place in our hearts.