Sportaal BV Enschede

Sportaal BV, the autonomous municipal company of Enschede, has awarded us the contract for the renovation/revitalisation of the telescopic grandstands in Sporthal Patmos and Sporthal De Brug in Enschede. The Patmos hall has been completely renovated and is now ready for the next 30 years! This is the second revitalisation project we have carried out for Sportaal BV. A few years ago, the grandstands of the Diekmanhal were equipped with rigid chain technology! Next year, the revitalisation of the De Brug tribunes!

Revitalisation of grandstands

In addition to optical innovations by reusing parts of two decommissioned grandstands, a bespoke drive technology was installed, perfectly adapted to the technical limitations of the original structure. The result is a functional and contemporary upgrade that takes the user experience to the next level.

Robin Wellens of Sportaal BV: "From 5 minutes of running time to get 1 stand back to position 0, with 2 people helping to push; to 20 seconds of smooth running".


Re-use

Of the 6 bleachers from the original completion, 2 were discarded to make way for storage space for sports equipment and materials. The usable parts of these 2 stands were either reused with the 4 remaining stands or kept as spares. The benches were repaired or replaced where necessary; where no fall protection/railings were provided, the remaining railings were installed in new mounting points. 

Motorised drive 

A major problem was the electric drive of the bleachers. This was old-fashioned, underpowered and caused many problems when exiting or entering the platforms. Pulling or pushing along with two people was then a solution with a lot of strength, perseverance and luck. Although this was not always the case. The revitalised stands are now equipped with an adequate electric drive matching the technical limitations of the metal structure of 30 years ago. Besides the positions fully open and closed, the drive has a pre-programmed position to drive only 2 rows of seats open. 

Maintenance and safety

As part of the tender, we are responsible for maintenance of the telescopic grandstands for the next 10 years. Besides design, production and installation of grandstands, we have a great specialism in (preventive) maintenance of all brands of telescopic grandstands in sports and cultural buildings.

Renovation of the retractable grandstands in Pathmoshal Enschede