Safety first
Seating involves guards, handrails, stairs, aisles and exits. Sightlines, aisle widths and guard heights are governed by code, and any change to capacity or layout needs review. We work with owners, designers and authorities to confirm what applies.
Accessibility matters here as well. Companion seating, wheelchair spaces and accessible routes are common upgrade items in older buildings.
What we upgrade
Spectator areas can be improved in many ways, from new bleachers or fixed seats to upgraded lighting and sound.
- Seating replacement and new rows
- Guardrails and handrails
- Egress and emergency lighting
- Sound systems and scoreboards
- Viewing lounges and standing rails
- Concession and washroom access
Trades that make it work
Our electrical crew, led by a Master Electrician, provides lighting, emergency lighting and power for scoreboards and sound. Our low voltage team installs audio, video and surveillance. Our carpenters and millwork team build rails, benches, ticket booths and custom elements, and our interior crew finishes walls, ceilings and acoustic panels.
Having these trades under one roof means fewer handoffs on a tight site with a hard opening date.
Planning around events
Seating work is usually done between seasons. We plan around tournaments, rentals and events, and we protect ice, floors and other surfaces from dust and falling materials. Work at height follows safety plans led by Ghilda Gaber, our Director of Health and Safety.
Coordination with other work
Seating upgrades often come with changes to lighting, exits and washrooms. Handling these with the same crews means one schedule and a single point of contact instead of several firms working around each other.
Our project managers also review sightlines, signage and wayfinding with owners, so that new seating helps people find their seats, washrooms and exits without crowding.
Questions we hear
Can seating be added to an existing arena?
Sometimes. Structure, exits and code limits decide it, so engineering review comes first.