Toadvine Blog

The construction of the new football stadium at Summertown High School in Lawrence County, Tennessee, continues to progress steadily. The project remains on track, with key infrastructure developments advancing as planned.

Upon completion, the stadium will feature a Dant Clayton Corporation Alum-A-Stand Grandstand and Press Box, providing seating for over 1,000 spectators, along with visitor bleachers accommodating an additional 700 guests. These upgrades will enhance the school's football facility, offering a premier experience for players, students, and the community.

This project is made possible through the dedicated efforts of Doss Brothers, Inc., Lawrence County Schools, and other key stakeholders. We appreciate their commitment to delivering a high-quality facility for Summertown High School.

A new year means new goals, and one of the most important for your school should be ensuring safe seating for students, staff and fans. With regular use, bleachers experience wear and tear that can lead to safety risks, costly repairs, and potential liability.

Here's how you can start the new year with safe, compliant bleachers:

• Schedule an annual safety inspection to catch potential hazards early
• Repair loose bolts, broken welds, or damaged parts before they become serious issues
• Ensure compliance with ADA accessibility and updated safety codes
• Train staff on proper bleacher operation maintenance

Toadvine Enterprises is here to help! Our team specializes in bleacher inspections, maintenance, and parts replacement to keep your seating safe and compliant all year long!

Let's make 2025 a year of safety, reliability, and peace of mind. Our facility inspections are conducted by our specialists who visit gyms and stadiums daily. Once we have reviewed all of your athletic equipment and seating, you will receive a detailed report that provides a complete overview of your entire school or district. This report will highlight the conditions of your current equipment, identify areas that require attention, and outline potential capital investments needed over the next 3-5 years.

Spring is finally here! As the weather warms up and outdoor activities ramp up, it's the perfect time to make sure your athletic equipment and bleachers are in peak condition. Regular maintenance is not just about prolonging the lifespan of your equipment; it's also about ensuring the safety of athletes, fans and staff. A well-maintained facility prevents accidents, keeps everything complaints with safety regulations, and saves you money by avoiding costly emergency repairs. 

Why Spring Maintenance Matters

At Toadvine, we specialize in providing schools with top-quality maintenance, parts, and service solutions. Our custom service contracts and agreements are tailored to keep your gym and athletic equipment in excellent shape. Here's why scheduling maintenance this spring is essential:

• Safety First: Avoid accidents by identifying and addressing loose bolts, worn-out parts, and potential structural hazards.
• Cost Savings: Routine inspections and minor repairs can help prevent expensive emergency fixes down the road.
• Compliance & Inspections: Ensure your bleachers and sports equipment meet all required safety regulations and industry standards. 

Our Comprehensive Services

Toadvine offers a wide range of services to help you keep your athletic facilities in top condition, including:

• Bleacher Inspections & Repairs: We'll check for structural issues, loos components, proper locking mechanisms.
• Basketball Goals & Athletic Equipment Servicing: Ensuring backboards, rims, cables, and pulleys are all in working order.
• Stadium Seating Maintenance: Regular checks on seating structures to prevent unexpected failures.
• Custom Service Contracts: Tailored maintenance plans to fit your specific needs and budget.

Spring Maintenance Checklist

To keep your athletic equipment in top shape, follow these essential spring maintenance tips:

• Bleachers: Inspect for loose or missing bolts, lubricate moving parts, and test all locking mechanisms.
• Basketball Goals: Check for worn cables, loose hardware, and make sure the backboards and rims are properly secured.
• Athletic Equipment: Examine pulleys, cables, netting, and fasteners for signs of wear and tear.
• Scoreboards: Verify all electrical connections and test functionality to prevent game-day surprises.

Stay Ahead with Toadvine

Don't wait until a small issue turns into a major problem. Let Toadvine help you stay ahead of maintenance issues with our service agreements and routine inspections. Our team of experts is ready to assist you in keeping your facilities safe, compliant, and in peak performance all season long.

Get in touch with us today to schedule your spring maintenance check-up and ensure a smooth, worry-free sports season ahead!

Project Deep Dive: The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse 

Project Overview

The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse, located in Leopold, IN serves as a multi-purpose athletic and event facility. With its spacious design and state-of-the-art amenities, it caters to a variety of sports, community events, and recreational activities. This project embodies Toadvine's commitment to helping create spaces that reflect and serve the community's needs.

Vision and Objectives

From the outset, our goal was clear: help facilitate and install high quality athletic products and equipment that not only serves athletes but helps foster community engagement. Key Objectives included:

• Multi-Use Functionality: The facility had to accommodate various sports and community events, ensuring flexibility and adaptability. 
• Community focus: The design aimed to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity among local residents.

Toadvine Enterprises proudly contributed our expertise and experience to this project by providing a range of athletic equipment and seating solutions. We installed backstops, court curtains, wall padding, volleyball equipment, telescopic bleacher seating, scoreboards, scorer's tables, and team benches. 

Community Impact

Since its opening, The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse has become a vital asset to the community. It serves as a venue for sports leagues, fitness classes, and community events, fostering connections among residents. The facility has received positive feedback, highlighting its role in promoting health, wellness, and community engagement. 

Conclusion

The Farmers Bank Fieldhouse is a shining example of how thoughtful execution and installation can create a lasting impact on a community. At Toadvine, we are proud to have contributed to a project that enhances the quality of life for residents and strengthens community bonds.

We invite you to visit the fieldhouse and experience its vibrant atmosphere firsthand. For more insights into our projects and philosophy, stay tuned to the Toadvine blog. 

Project Deep Dive: Perry Central High School Auxiliary Gym

Introduction

In the realm of educational architecture, the design and construction of sports facilities play a crucial role in fostering both athletic and academic excellence. The recently completed Auxiliary Gym at Perry Central High School is a prime example of how thoughtful design can enhance the school community. This blog post delves into the project, highlighting its purpose, design elements, and the positive impact it is poised to have on students and the broader community.

Project Overview

The Perry Central High School Auxiliary Gym was conceived as a response to the growing demand for versatile athletic spaces within the school. As a multi-use facility, it supports various sports, physical education classes, and community events, thereby extending the utility of the school's infrastructure.

Goals and Objectives

1. Enhanced Athletic Facilities: To provide students with a state-of-the-art space for training and competitions.

2. Community Engagement: To create a venue that can be used by local organizations for events and gatherings.

3. Sustainability: To incorporate eco-friendly practices and materials in the construction and installation process

Design Features

The design of the Auxiliary Gym is characterized by several key elements that reflect the needs of the school and community:

1. Flexible Space Utilization

The gym is designed to accommodate multiple sports activities simultaneously. This flexibility allows for basketball, volleyball, and other athletic events to take place, catering to a wide range of student interests.

2. Natural Lighting

One of the standout features of the Auxiliary Gym is its large windows, which not only provide ample natural light but also create an inviting atmosphere for students. This design choice contributes to a positive environment, enhancing both focus and motivation.

3. Community Spaces

In addition to athletic facilities, the gym includes spaces that can host community events, further integrating the school into the local community. This aspect fosters a sense of belonging and support among residents.

Impact on Students and Community

The completion of the Auxiliary Gym is set to have a transformative effect on Perry Central High School:

• Increased Participation: With improved facilities, more students are likely to engage in sports and physical activities, contributing to their overall health and well-being.
• Community Integration: The gym serves as a hub for community events, strengthening ties between the school and local organizations. 
• Positive Learning Environment: A well-designed athletic facility can boost school spirit and pride, encouraging students to excel both on and off the field.

Conclusion

The Perry Central High School Auxiliary Gym represents more than just a building; it embodies a commitment to student development, and community engagement. As the school community begins to utilize this new space, it is expected to become a cornerstone of student life and a catalyst for positive change. 

Stay tuned for more updates as the Auxiliary Gym becomes a vibrant part of Perry Central High School's legacy!

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: MPS Sales Coordinator

JOB OBJECTIVE: The MPS Sales Coordinator will support the company sales initiatives by pricing, quoting, and closing parts & service opportunities that result from territory sales rep’s maintenance orders. This Sales Coordinator will review maintenance reports and develop proposals/quotes for follow-up service & repairs. Further, the Sales Coordinator will have responsibility for helping sales reps with closing these opportunities providing MPS Operations with the required paperwork (OEF’s, proposals/quotes, manufacturer pricing quotes, pricing summaries, etc.). to set-up the jobs in the system for order processing & scheduling. This position will also work closely with territory sales reps to provide project estimating services on parts & service requests from customers. They will be highly organized, detail oriented, and have strong communication, computer administrative, and follow-up skills.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITES:

• Review DuForms maintenance reports identifying sales opportunities for service & repairs.
• Prepare proposals/quotes for service & repair orders post maintenance.
• Contact customers to follow-up, help close, & coordinate these post maintenance service & repair orders.
• Prepare internal sales documents (pricing summary(s), OEF’s, manufacturer pricing quotes) for MPS Operations to enter orders, purchase materials, & to schedule service team(s).
• Provide estimating services for customer requested service & repairs provided from territory sales reps.
• Participate in trade shows geared towards facility directors & plant managers.
• Ride with service teams on occasion to meet with key customers.

DESIRED BACKGROUND & SKILL SETS:

• Bachelor’s degree in sales, construction management or equivalent.
• 2-3 years of experience in inside sales, customer service, or equivalent.

• Must possess strong written & oral communication skills.
• Must be detailed oriented, organized, with excellent time management skills.

• Must have strong computer skills with emphasis on Microsoft Office.
• Self-motivated in learning/developing estimating skill sets.
• Project estimating experience a plus.

BENEFITS PACKAGE:

• Base salary + commissions
• PTO + vacation days
• Ten (10) paid holidays
• Health, Dental, Vision insurance with Company contribution towards monthly premium
• 401K with matching from Company

 Please send your resume to Chris Tolley at Ctolley@toadvine.com

Summary

Toadvine Enterprises is a sports facility construction / design / build firm specializing in indoor & outdoor spectator seating solutions, athletic facility equipment, scoreboards, with facility maintenance & service support. Toadvine geographically covers KY, TN, IN, OH, AL & MS. Our clients include K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and municipal sports venues. 

Open Positions

Project Estimator

This project estimator will support and work closely with Chris Toadvine to handle both pre-sales and post sales activities. They will ideally have construction industry experience, be highly organized, detail oriented, and have strong computer, administrative, and follow-up skills. New employees can expect a company culture centered on open communication, personal coaching, and tackling exciting challenges in a growth-oriented organization. 

Job Details- Project Estimator

For more information, contact Chris Tolley or send your resume to ctolley@toadvine.com .

 We are very excited to announce the completion of Collierville High School’s athletic complex.  Toadvine took the lead in designing, producing, & installing the outdoor grandstands for football (home & visitor), baseball, softball, soccer, & tennis.  These grandstands including VIP chairs were manufactured to match Collierville’s school colors. Outdoor athletic equipment was also provided for baseball, softball, and track & field.  In addition, we provided and installed both basketball & volleyball systems for the new main gym and (2) auxiliary gyms. Thanks to the folks at Collierville High School for entrusting Toadvine to complete this project and for allowing us to have a role in building such a great athletic complex.  The students, faculty, parents, & fans should enjoy this outstanding high school venue for years to come.

Take a look at the news story below to see how beautiful this sports complex turned out.

https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2018/09/20/collierville-high-unveils-new-sports-facilities-including-football-stadium-basketball-gyms/

            Toadvine is excited to announce our involvement in the construction of the new Collierville High School that is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2018.  Toadvine is providing construction of the outdoor grandstand bleachers for football (home & visitor), baseball, softball, soccer, and tennis.  Toadvine is also providing indoor volleyball equipment and outdoor athletic equipment for track, baseball, and soccer.  In addition, Toadvine is providing the ceiling suspended basketball goals for the main gym as well as both auxiliary gyms.  Here is quick update on the project.

• Main Gym & Auxiliary Gyms – Basketball
  • Porter Athletic goals are up in all 3 gyms; installation was completed in late February.
• Football Field – Dant Clayton outdoor football bleachers
  • Visitor Side – Bleachers were installed in early May; currently finishing up final touches on ramps & walkways.
  • Home Side – Steel beam infrastructure was completed in mid-May; currently installing seat planks, foot boards, risers, ramps & walkways.
• Baseball/Softball/Soccer/Tennis – Dant Clayton outdoor bleachers
  • Construction to begin in June, 2018

Stay tuned for the next update during the construction of this impressive new school.  When completed, it will have one of the best athletic facilities in the state of Tennessee.

Replace or Renovate Your Outdoor Grandstands?

What’s the right decision?  A wise decision is based on the Total Cost of Ownership principle. Upfront costs for renovation or retro-fit are usually less than a full replacement. Even though you may save money upfront, in most cases you will bear the additional costs for maintenance and repair in the near future.  In addition, issues with CODE Compliance and safety concerns are a consideration that will likely reduce the amount of your initial savings in the near-term.  Additional lost revenue opportunities should be considered as part of your decision given possible poor aesthetics of the facility and the associated lack of fan base support.  

Decision Criteria: Safety / CODE Concerns with Existing Bleachers

Shouldn’t safety always be your #1 priority? With that in mind, your current bleachers may be unsafe and not CODE compliant. Before making any decision, be sure you check the following:

• Could a Small Child fall through large gaps in your old bleacher?
• Make sure you have Side rails/ hand rails to prevent anyone from falling
• Check to see if you have ADA ramps for handicap attendees
• Check to see if you have enough ADA Handicap Seating for a comfortable view
• Get a Structural Engineer’s approval before making any decisions on a renovation or full replacement project.

Why Replace?

There are several reasons why replacing your existing bleachers with new grandstands would be more cost effective than a budget restricting retro-fit or renovation. Constructing replacement bleachers is a much smoother, less risky, and economically efficient operation. The additional cost for a full replacement bleacher, including understructure, may be less than you think. Initially a full replacement may seem like a more expensive strategy, but after considering the short and long term benefits you may change your mind. Here are a few factors to consider that likely will benefit you in the long run.

•  Long Term Savings: Spending a little more upfront could give your program a greater return on investment. This investment will last your school 25-30 years!
• Annual Tune Ups: Completely replacing a bleacher will allow the school to significantly lower your annual maintenance costs. Aside from your maintenance inspections, the only work that may be necessary is if your rowdy student section loosens foot decking or seat boards.
• Color & Logos: Replacement bleachers have the ability to spell out logos or initials with matching risers in school colors giving your bleachers a sharper look.
• Admission $: As a school, you will feel more comfortable charging a higher price for a comprehensive seating upgrade that might include VIP chair seating.

• Easy Clean: New no-rust aluminum seating and decking will allow you to power wash the bleachers eliminating any rusting.
• Fully Enclosed Decking: Unlike most renovations, new replacement bleachers are fully enclosed that have no gaps whatsoever. This keeps trash, debris, or even personal belongings from falling under the bleacher.

Renovation: What to Consider!

Renovation is a viable option if it is designed and constructed properly. Anytime your school starts to make a decision whether to renovate or replace, there are a couple cautions that need to be considered when it comes to renovation. Although it may save you money upfront, fully evaluate your situation before making a final decision.

• Faulty Upgrade: Renovations should be more than a mere face-lift. Mixing/matching new and existing decking and bench seating will likely disappoint. Make sure to seek a subject-matter expert, like Toadvine, before making any big decisions so you don’t spend money on a faulty upgrade.

• Look and Feel: Renovation can sometimes leave you with a bleacher that has a multitude of different looking products. Make sure to keep all of your seating consistent so you don’t end up with a mismatched and unprofessional looking bleacher.
• Understructure Warnings: Make sure a structural engineer checks the understructure of the old bleacher to guarantee it will be able to hold and support the added weight of the new additions.

• Level Seats: With the merging of bleacher product technologies, it is not a guarantee that your bleacher bench seating will lay straight. With the constant changing of parts and pieces over the years, sections of your bench seating may not align with one another.

Experience

Jim Kessinger, Head Facilities Director of Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, KY spoke of his experiences with full replacement and renovation: “In my 35 years of experience, I have done both new replacement and renovation outdoor bleacher projects.  New bleachers ultimately just provide a better outcome for our schools with less problems both at time of construction and in the years to follow.  Toadvine has been a great partner in guiding us through the appropriate decision making process.”

Ask for Help!

Let Toadvine guide you through the decision making process of your new construction project or renovation upgrade. Toadvine is available to share our expertise in all phases of your outdoor bleacher projects, from design to installation and ongoing maintenance. Our experienced team, including project managers, will work with you from start to finish on all aspects of your outdoor bleacher projects.

 Next Steps

• Call Toadvine for a full evaluation of your current grandstands.
• Set up an appointment to meet with our expert team to discuss all the options.
• Let us put you in touch with other clients that have made similar decisions.

Contact Us

Email: smelchior@toadvine.com

Phone: 502-912-9508