Toadvine Blog

When it comes to arenas that rock, KFC Yum! Center not only rocks the music venue with top, highly-sought after artists, but it also rolls out the red carpet to the University of Louisville men's and women's basketball team and its massive host of fanatical spectators.

Built in 2010, the 22,090 seat, $238 million arena, home to the University of Louisville Cardinal basketball teams, was recently voted as one of the top 10 Venues that Rock, by Rolling Stone magazine.

Not only do last year's NCAA hoops champions call the Yum! Center home, but a full slate of big-name music headliners, including Taylor Swift, The Eagles, Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber, and Bruce Springsteen have also graced the impressive stage of the Yum! Center, captivating long-time fans and rocking out the multipurpose facility.

Nestled on Main Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets, the backdrop of the Ohio River accentuates the glass facade of the building, along with the wavy interior ceilings and randomly splattered art which give it an inviting and modern feel. As the fifth largest college basketball arena in the nation, this facility displays modern technology at its finest. Developers integrated a scoring and video display system, which includes large LED video displays within the seating area, professional grade LCD screens, and a powerful control system.

Several other interesting features of the arena include:

4 miles of fiber optic cable

5 auxiliary locker rooms

7 acres of land on which facility is built

9 escalators

28 entry doors

44 exit doors

70 premium boxes

75 restrooms

411 total flat screen televisions (number includes 90 menu boards)

760 parking spaces in the facility garage

9,000 light fixtures

14,000 square footage in the grand lobby

17,500 seating capacity for end stage concerts

22,090 seating capacity for basketball and center stage concerts

33,926 total square footage of four meeting rooms

40,000 weight (in pounds) of the center-hung scoreboard

58,655 total square footage of exterior glass panels

721,762 total square footage

Former Courier Journal and Sports Illustrated writer Billy Reed says that the arena "was about providing every element of the city's culture — men and women, black and white, business and labor, rich and poor — with the opportunity to participate in a project that will revitalize the city's downtown and make the city a viable option for national tournaments and conventions, as well as the biggest show-business acts in the nation."

"It's a story of how Possibility City turned a dream into a magnificent reality," says Reed, who believes the center is a "blueprint for how a public project should be funded, planned, and executed." 

Follow our continuing spotlights on stand-out arenas around the country and find out how Toadvine Enterprises can help you plan a rocking facility for your organization.

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Accommodating crowds from just a few hundred spectators to more than 10,000, the configurable steel and aluminum I-Beam Grandstand bleacher seating can be built anywhere, for any sport. It is designed to be permanently anchored to reinforced concrete columns or piers.

The seat planks have a clear, anodized finish. Footboard planks are mill finished. The understructure of this seating system consists of welded steel beams, stringers, and braces, made from extruded aluminum. The components used in the I-Beam understructure go through a galvanized process which means they are "hot-dipped" in a molten bath of zinc which coats the steel with a thin layer of protection against rust and corrosion. The understructure offers more versatility for a variety of uses from restrooms and concession stands to storage, dressing facilities, walkways, and more.

This diverse seating system can also be designed with a variety of decking, seating, and railing options to suit your individual needs. Limitless design options can include:

• Handicap Accessible Seating
• VIP Suites/Press Boxes
• Colored Risers
• Freestanding or Integrated Roof
• Drip Shield with Gutters and Downspouts

This steel-framed structure offers the ideal combination of safety, aesthetics, functionality, and affordability for a wide variation of facilities from high school and collegiate sports to entertainment venues and much more.

Contact Toadvine today if you would like a quote or want to learn more about the I-Beam Grandstand bleacher.

One of the most traditional bleacher seating systems is the retractable or recessed bleacher which is generally used in sporting facilities to provide a tiered seating structure which enhances audience experience. This style system utilizes a pocket in the wall to house the bleacher when closed. The bleacher is hidden away from sight, generally under a balcony or mezzanine when the area is needed for other purposes. Each platform conveniently stores under the one above it for a minimizing storage area.

Recessed bleachers require a minimal clearance to fit comfortably under a balcony overhang. Maximum usable floor space is utilized when bleachers are stacked. This system is available with seating options up to 24 rows. Upper and lower tracking guides and removable end rails can accommodate custom transition steps to the balcony when required. Some of the other advantages of the recessed seating include:

• Optimum use of facility space
• Savings on land and building cost
• Increased revenue potential
• Fast and resourceful seating arrangements
• Comfort and optimum viewing for patrons

Each tiered platform is durably constructed and retracts into the wall at the touch of a button. These systems can be customized to meet the ongoing and changing needs of sporting venues while maximizing capacity. 

To get a quote on recessed telescopic bleachers for your facility, click here. 

The practical design and flexibility of the telescopic bleacher system has been used by spectators and fans for more than 70 years. Telescopic bleachers are still a very popular choice in many arenas today.  Each telescopic bleacher project is custom made and adapted to the dimensions available in your indoor facility.

Mainly used in indoor facilities to increase seating capacity, the mobile telescopic seating product adds a series of bleacher modules that can be folded to occupy very little space when not being used.

The mobile bleacher system is one of the most flexible seating systems available to schools and sporting facilities and is commonly used to accommodate a variety of needs.

Mobile bleacher systems can be used in one part of the building and then transported and stored in a different part of the building. This style of seating can run up to 21" wide with seating capabilities of 14 rows at a 10 1/4 inch rise or 12 rows with an 11 1/2 inch rise. These independent, self-supporting units do not require anchorage to the wall or floor. Used commonly in gymnasiums, music rooms, cafeterias and class rooms, these bleachers provide easy manual operation.

A portable hydraulic dolly is required and generally provided to transport units to and from spectator and storage areas and a pair of hydraulic trucks are required to move the mobile units.

Back handles and back rails are required by code and for safety purposes. With a standard height of 8" the back panel provides a flat wall type surface to discourage access to the understructure of the bleachers. All of these features make the mobile telescopic bleacher a very flexible and independent choice in seating.

When your facility demands a quick transformation from a wide open space to a fully functioning spectator arena, consider the benefits of the mobile telescopic bleacher system. For more information on how Toadvine Enterprises can meet your seating needs, fill out our form to the right and receive a free quote from one of our seating professionals.

When planning a sports stadium or just updating your equipment to meet safety requirements, adding a railing system can add a prominent feature to your seating and promote a higher level of safety for your patrons.

When you choose Toadvine, you are not limited to a simple banister style railing. We offer three types of railing systems and multiple styles with each option. Here are the various railing styles we offer and some of the options you can choose for each one.

Vertical Picket Rail:

• Guardian - minimal visibility obstruction and reduced material
• Regal - square horizontal railings for more architectural appeal
• Classic - traditional styling with sturdy appearance

Premium:

• Wire mesh panels
• Stainless steel cable
• Laminated or fully tempered glass, either working independently or in conjunction with other systems

Chain Link Fence:

• Galvanized steel
• Black vinyl
• Safety and code compliance

We would like to help you plan your sports facility and assist you in adding any equipment that will help make your bleachers safer and more accessible for your fans.

For more information on how Toadvine can meet your school's seating needs, fill out our Railing Systems Quote form on the right and one of our qualified team members will contact you to discuss your needs and provide you with a free quote.

Whether you are trying to "tackle" the planning of a new football stadium, or conducting a major overhaul on an outdated one, Toadvine Enterprises has a variety of bleacher seating options to accommodate fans and spectators alike.

For over 30 years, Toadvine Enterprises has offered the best and most cost effective football bleachers to many facilities around the Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Ohio area. With our focus being on quality and customer service, we guarantee satisfaction for our clients and offer quality products that will represent your school with pride. Here are the seating options that we provide:

The I-Beam Grandstand football bleachers are made with an enduring steel frame, stunning appearance and cost effective price. They are a perfect match for high school and college stadiums desiring seating for 100-10,000 fans.

The Alum - A - Stand is known for its durability and strength. These bleachers offer a variety of arrangements from portable to larger stationary bleachers. Unlike steel framed bleachers, the aluminum tube and channel under structure is rust-resistant. With its wide range of customizable color options, this bleacher system is a perfect seating solution for your school.

Hybrid Precast Stadium Systems
The hybrid precast stadium system is a patented steel seating structure that is economical and made with lightweight precast concrete and is completely customizable to your school's needs.

Angle Frame Bleachers can be used in a variety of ways for your seating needs. From fan bleachers on the football or soccer field, spectator seating at your tennis court and baseball field, to additional resting spots at your local recreational park, Toadvine can meet all of your outdoor seating needs with our customized Angle Frame Bleacher. This bleacher can be customized with many options and constructed to seat anywhere from 20-600 spectators.

Custom Seating
When your school requires a seating system that uniquely satisfies your needs, Toadvine can provide custom bleacher options that allow you create a stadium that is specific to your individual specifications. Some of the additional options Toadvine provides are:

• arm rests
• cup holders
• color options
• varying spacing options
• liquid drainage system to prevent damage
• aluminum backrest
• self-rising chairs
• specialty VIP section

Contact Toadvine today to discuss how we can best accommodate your school's seating needs and get your stadium plans off the ground and running.

Fans and spectators have been utilizing telescopic bleachers for their seating choice in facilities and gymnasiums for more than 70 years. The practical design and flexibility of this seating has kept the telescopic bleacher a popular choice in many arenas. 

Each telescopic bleacher project is custom made, adapted to the dimensions available in the indoor facility. Mainly used in indoor facilities to increase seating capacity, this product adds a series of bleacher modules that can be folded to occupy very little space when not being used.  

As the top provider of telescopic bleachers for more than 30 years, Toadvine Enterprises offers several different types of telescopic bleacher seating that will meet the needs of your facility with a quality product and exceptional customer service. Here are the different varieties of telescopic bleachers we offer and a description of how they might benefit your organization.

Reverse Fold Systems. This type of telescopic bleacher is designed to utilize the space behind the bleacher stack for other activities when the bleacher is not in use. These systems are recommended to have up to 18 rows. 

Forward Fold. The most common telescopic seating system is the forward fold bleachers which open in the forward direction. These systems are available in up to 24 rows. 

Recessed Systems. The best feature of the recessed bleacher system is the fact that they require minimal clearance for a nice comfortable fit under a balcony overhang. This type of system is helpful when you wish to utilize floor space when the bleachers are stacked away. 

Mobile Systems. The advantage of using the mobile system is that they can be used in one part of a building and then transported and stored in another. Portable hydraulic dollies are provided with the system. These systems are available with up to 14 rows.  

Free-Standing Floor-Attached Systems. When bleachers are required to stand away from the wall, or when the facility restricts wall attachment, these bleachers are ideal. Contact us for details on row restrictions.   

All of our Telescopic Bleacher Seating systems feature outstanding durability and are built with the safest and most secure under-structure in the industry, providing great comfort and a stunning appearance. Here are some other options available to you at Toadvine when you select telescopic bleacher seating:

• Built to last
• Wide range of colors
• Built to fit a variety of facilities
• Self-storing aisle rails
• Power options 
• Options and Accessories 

Contact Toadvine Enterprises today to find out what telescopic bleacher system is best for your facility. 

Severe weather and exposure caused a host of problems for South Point High School stadium in Belmont, North Carolina. After an intense inspection, the bleachers showed signs of distress from weather damage and were deemed unsafe. This determination threatened graduation ceremonies last year and cost the school district in excess of $500,000 to make repairs.

Regular inspections of those bleachers could have caught that damage before it became threatening to the safety of spectators and sports fans. Instead, an unforeseen inspection by the district's insurance company shut down the stadium for graduation and even created uncertainty that the repairs would be complete in time for football season to begin.

Kentucky and Southern Indiana also experience severe weather patterns similar to those in Belmont each season. We’ve had flash flooding, damaging winds, and severe thunderstorms. That severe weather could be bad news for outdoor sports equipment and grandstand seating.

In order to protect your facility's grandstand seating, Toadvine Enterprises not only provides and installs your grandstand seating, we also service it. If you have a question about the safety of your bleachers, contact us for a complete safety inspection. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

There are a number of ways you can get in touch with us and set up an appointment:

• Use our contact form online. We have a 24-hour guaranteed response system in place so you can be sure someone will follow up with you promptly.
• Fill out our maintenance and safety interest form.
• Give us a call at 502.241.6010.

We look forward to making sure your seating and equipment is safe and in good working condition.

After running hundreds of plays, ramming a multitude of helmets, and dripping endless sweat after a full season of sweltering practices, the lights on the football field are slated to come on and spotlight the players who have worked feverishly to get here.

They come suited up; jerseys crisp, helmets tightly snapped, and footballs firmly prepared for the big game. Fortunately, with the help of Toadvine Enterprises, all equipment and accessory needs for the football season were ordered and met just in time for that first game whistle.

Make sure your school is prepared and your locker rooms are decked out with all the equipment you need to outscore the other team this football season. Toadvine provides all your school's equipment and accessory needs. If you have any last minute orders or need to replace some worn out equipment, Toadvine can take care of your school's sporting good needs. We solve all your equipment needs. First time. Every time.

Visit our homepage and hit the 'click here for help' button if you need a quick solution for your athletic equipment. We have a 24 hour guaranteed response. That's our promise.

Before that first buzzer ever sounds, laps are being run, plays are being taught, and strategies are being formulated to dominate the opposing team. When the days of pre-season practice come to an end and it's time to step on that court for the first home game, the fans and athletes alike are anxiously awaiting the match up. Imagine the anticipation of that first game and when that moment finally arrives, there is no buzzer. What if the numbers on the scoreboard don't light up properly or the timer isn't working?

Although many schools may invest in a state-of-the-art scoreboard for their sporting activities, the maintenance of this equipment may get overlooked, resulting in a disastrous game day outcome. An excellent way of insuring that your school avoids the unpleasantness of scoreboard problems is to take care of the internal electronic components during the off season.

For George Cornwall, long time electronic supervisor for the Lee County School District in Fort Myers, Florida, preventative maintenance is the key to keeping a fully operating scoreboard.

“A lot of our maintenance involves cleaning contact and connections. We summer-ize our boards in the off-season too,” Cornwell said. “Our outside circuit boards are taken off and stored inside to avoid damage. We don't completely strip them, but we do remove major components in the off-season and prior to season, we put them back. You have to do preventative maintenance to keep them in top condition.” 

Athletic Directors or Facilities Managers should direct someone to follow recommended procedures every year to prolong the life of the scoreboard and reduce unscheduled service calls. Well before the first game of the season, the scoreboard equipment should be inspected, reassembled, and tested to allow ample time for the return and repair of any malfunctioning parts.

If your school does not have an off-season preventative maintenance program, contact Toadvine Enterprises to determine the best route to protect your vital sports equipment and “keep the ball rolling.”