After 44 years, Thayer Arena getting new bleachers

Posted 6/11/15

By JOSH ESTRELLA

Thayer Arena on Sandy Lane will soon have a new, state-of-the-art bleacher system. Through the efforts of the city, led by Thayer and McDermott Pool manager Jim Dorney, the …

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After 44 years, Thayer Arena getting new bleachers

Posted

By JOSH ESTRELLA

Thayer Arena on Sandy Lane will soon have a new, state-of-the-art bleacher system. Through the efforts of the city, led by Thayer and McDermott Pool manager Jim Dorney, the process of replacing the 44-year-old bleachers that have reached the end of their life cycle started earlier this month.

The decision to replace the benches was based mainly on safety concerns. Jim Dorney commented, “It made a lot of sense safety-wise as much as aesthetics.”

In order to meet fire regulations, several upgrades were made to the rink’s fire suppression system, leaving money in the building bond. The decision to install the bleachers came easy. Installed 44 years ago, the old bleachers were scarred from use and had become a safety hazard, especially for the elderly.

Stephen Whitney, president of Whitney Enterprises, the company installing the new system, has had more than 23 years of experience dealing with bleachers. In a site visit Tuesday afternoon with Mayor Scott Avedisian, Dorney and Jon Lord from Robert H. Lord, the new bleacher system company, Whitney said, “If this isn’t the worst one, it was damn close…I’ve condemned bleachers that were better.”

After a bidding process, the city selected the Robert H. Lord Company for the new seating system, which cost around $194,000. The bleachers, manufactured by Hussey Seating Company, feature state-of-the-art technology that increases accessibility and safety in the rink. The old bleachers had to be moved manually, taking at least eight laborers to close and open. Now the bleachers open and close with the touch of a remote.

An advantage of the new system is that the bleachers meet the standards of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Due to its flex-row technology, there are designated areas where portions of the bleachers can retract to make room for wheelchairs. The retractable segments can be quickly adjusted for wheelchairs or be pulled out for additional seating if needed.

Without rails and areas designated just for movement, the old bleachers made movement difficult, making it hard to safely exit. The new system, equipped with aisle rails, end rails and designated areas for walking, is promised to be much safer than the old. Seating for the bleachers is blue and has designated areas for the four high schools to sit at accompanied with their logos.

Mayor Avedisian said, “In the last five years, Jim Dorney and his crew have tackled a new ceiling, energy-efficient lightning, fire upgrades and now a whole new bleacher system showing we are invested in the four high schools that use these facilities.”

The bleachers are being installed now and should be finished this summer. This upcoming fall Thayer expects a price increase to rent the ice that will bring it to $210 per session rather than $200.

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