Testimonials
June 2007
"I have attached a photograph (above) of the outdoor rink at Seewald Park, here in Cape Dorset,
taken at the official opening we held in April 2007. The building of this rink is one of the fondest
memories of the six years I spent here.
I want everyone at Sport Systems to know how great your boards look - they really lend a sense
of professionalism to the project. I hope you'll appreciate how much this meant to the Northern
Community; we could not have completed the park without your understanding, patience and product.
Once again, accept my thanks for a job well done."
Jonathan Saxby
April 2006
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) is one of North America s leading major-league
sports ownership groups, with holdings that include the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), the
Toronto Raptors (NBA) and the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
In addition, MLSE owns and operates several outstanding hockey facilities in Ontario,
including Oshawa Sports & Entertainment Centre, opened in 2006, where both ice pads
feature dasher boards by Sport Systems Unlimited.
Mike Richardson is the General Manager in Oshawa, and he comments on how MLSE came to
choose Sport Systems dasher boards: "One of the things I and others at MLSE were most
impressed with was the situation regarding the dashers Sport Systems installed at Ricoh
Coliseum (home of the Marlies)", says Mike. "It s not just the boards, but the way Sport
Systems paid attention to our request for some minor adjustments made specific to Ricoh.
It was impressive, the way they listened and responded to what we were saying.
After visiting the factory in Waterloo ON where Sport Systems makes their dashers, Mike
believes he has now seen the leader in action: "The manufacturing process is cutting-edge. These boards are very advanced in their design concepts, yet amazingly simple and totally user friendly. There's flexibility and customization with the Sport Systems design process. They're manufactured to last a lifetime, yet components are easily replaced if needed. That's smart."
Mike notes, Sport Systems has a proven track record at the OHL and AHL levels, which
is a huge factor for us. I have personally been involved in running 4 different hockey
facilities in my career. Along with my colleagues at MLSE, we ve seen every board system
that's been made and we believe that Sport Systems Unlimited is a leader in the industry.
April 2006
Opened in 2005, the Multi-Activity Court, or MAC, at the Recreation Center at University
of California Santa Barbara plays host to a variety of sports and activities. Volleyball,
lacrosse, basketball, and indoor soccer all get their turns along with inline roller hockey.
"With club teams, intramurals and various tournaments it's getting busier all the time,"
comments Karl Burrelsman, the University Representative for the construction phase of the
project. "As far as I know, none of those players has ever said anything negative about the
boards."
The choice of Sport Systems Unlimited for the supply of the boards system was not one
that was made easily, according to Karl. "We had specified another company, but Albert and
Adam at Sport Systems cared enough to take the time and effort to explain the differences
and the benefits in their product. There are some definite advantages to the Sport Systems
boards over the others."
During the engineering phase, the team at Sport Systems worked hand in hand with Karl
and his colleagues. "They really went the extra mile for us, especially in the development of
our retractable goals." says Karl. "I really enjoyed working with the guys at Sport Systems
because they showed a personal interest in meeting our needs."
The installation process was particularly impressive for Karl, as he notes, "Their site
manager, Daryl was fantastic -- very competent, helpful, and really on the ball."
Now that the boards are up and in use on a daily basis, Karl appreciates the clean
appearance of the anodized aluminum frames from which the board system is constructed.
"It really has very clean appearance, totally in keeping with the image of the facility
as a whole."
"I would definitely recommend Sport Systems boards."
March 2006
We at Sport Systems Unlimited are very gratified to receive rave reviews from Tom Timko
at Manasquan Inline Hockey (MIH) in Manasquan, NJ about the inline dasher board system we
installed in the summer of 2005.
Tom tells us, "Before we got involved in this project, another manufacturer's board
system had already been selected, but the league commission didn’t feel we were necessarily
getting the safest boards for our rink."
After further investigation into alternate dasher system, MIH turned to Sport Systems,
for our Inline Pro Series boards. "I think we visited every rink in the state comparing
dasher board systems. When we saw the Inline Pro Series, we knew that it was the right
system for us. The anodized aluminum looks great and it was better suited to handle the
diverse weather conditions that we get in coastal New Jersey. Having a 3-year warranty,
instead of the 1-year warranties offered by competitive systems, let us know that Sport Systems
stood behind the product."
"Even though we knew it was the best value, ironically it wasn't the dasher board
system that was the final selling point, but the people at Sport Systems. Everyone we dealt
with — from the sales consultant, to the engineering team, to the installation supervisor —
bent over backwards to educate us on the differences in dasher board systems, and to help
us select the best product for our site. They even gave us ideas to raise funds to pay
for the system."
Last week we began our 9th year as a league, and our second season on the rink. We have
never had more kids participate in the program, and not a day goes by without a parent or a
player complimenting us on the rink. The kids are excited to play on a professional rink.
It's a great feeling to know that you made the right decision."
If you would like to speak more with Tom Timko, please contact him at
Manasquan Inline Manasquan Inline
732-968-4000 x16
check out their facility at -
http://eteamz.active.com/mih/handouts/
March 2006
Opened in August 2002, the ice pad at Cambridge Centre (located in Cambridge, ON)
is an amazing sight to behold a full-size hockey rink smack-dab in the middle of a
brand new shopping mall. Surrounded by various retail stores and restaurants,
shoppers can take a break in the food court and watch on-ice action ranging
from minor hockey to pick-up games to public skating for families.
Arena manager Liz Peters is enthusiastic about the Sport Systems dasher
boards in place at Cambridge Centre. "There's no question," she says, "these
are first rate boards. The players using this rink have been complimentary
about them almost since the day we first opened. They even like that plunger
thing that opens the doors."
When she compares the Sport Systems boards with the boards at the facility
she used to manage, Liz says "there really is no comparison. The Sport Systems boards are at a much higher level. You can tell there's been a lot of work put into designing and manufacturing these. They're very sturdy, but they have the
give upon impact that players find really important to have."
The installation of the boards is something Liz recalls very favorably as
well, noting "Daryl was awesome - and the same holds true for the entire crew.
Even now, if we need some small thing looked after, we get great service from
Sport Systems - I just make a call and it's done. I would definitely recommend
Sport Systems boards."
January 2006
Harm Schilthuis & Sons Ltd. is an Ancaster, Ontario based General
Contractor, that has been in business for 44 years. They do a variety of
specialized projects, including the design and construction of a massive
concrete bridge that actually floats (using a proprietary technique).
Among their more 'normal' construction work, Schilthuis has completed
more than 100 ice hockey arenas in Southwestern Ontario. Owned and operated
by Henry Schilthuis, their arena board system of choice is Sport Systems
Unlimited. Why? As Henk Schilthuis, Vice President says, "Sport Systems boards are gorgeous - without question, they have as good a product as there is on the market today. Their price is always right, and they are dependable too - when they say they're going to be on-site, they're there."
With so many arena board manufacturers to choose from, why is Henk Schilthuis
so stuck on Sport Systems? It's simple, according to Henk: "We're
very loyal to the people we work with. When we find a supplier with the
right product, and great service, we stick with them. Our repeat
business depends on it. With Sport Systems, there's no mistake about it."
January 2006
Opened in January 2002, High Velocity Sports, located in Canton
Michigan is one of America's most impressive and busiest indoor year-round
sports facilities, with 120,000 square feet dedicated to soccer,
roller hockey, flag football and dodgeball.
Owner and founder Bryan Finnerty, a former standout soccer goalkeeper at
San Diego State University, believes his decision to install dasher boards
from Sport Systems Unlimited has been proven right over the years.
"Consistency is the key," say Bryan, the [1991/92] NPSL Championship series
MVP. "We have 35-40 soccer leagues here, with as many as 460 teams playing here
regularly. The players who use our facility all agree - our boards are 100%
consistent throughout. No dead spots around the goals, or in the corners. They're
absolutely perfect."
Bryan was impressed with the installation of the boards, saying that despite
some "issues - the kind of things that arise during new construction projects"
the Sport Systems crew was "professional all the way and did a great job for us in
the end."
Today the anodized finish on the Sport Systems aluminum boards has left them
looking as pristine as the day they were installed, according to Bryan. "I must
say, the boards look fantastic - as clean as the day we first opened our doors
back in 2002."
If you would like to know more about the Sport Systems soccer boards at High
Velocity Sports, please do not hesitate to contact Bryan Finnerty at
734.HV SPORTS (734.487.7678).
Be sure to check out their web site as well:
www.hvsports.com.
Bryan Finnerty
High Velocity Sports
734.HV SPORTS (734.487.7678)
www.hvsports.com
October 2005
"The new hockey boards purchased from your firm have now been installed as of
September 24, 2005 - right on schedule. Dermot is to be commended for his very fine
supervision while installing these boards.
The system looks very attractive and should serve our needs for many years to come.
Thanks to you, your firm and everyone associated with the design, manufacture and
installation of this system. During the entire purchase with Sport Systems
Unlimited, we had complete confidence in the quality of the equipment, delivery on time
and a very complete project.
The system is great. We have enjoyed working with Sport Systems Unlimited."
Duane Otto and Peter Klingbeil
Langdon (ND) Area Hockey Boosters
May 2005
"The last two days have been an absolute pleasure working with Dermot installing our
boards and glass. With only two of our committee members seeing your product, many
of our volunteers were overwhelmed by the quality of your products, and by the ease
in which they were installed. It is a great pleasure to work with such a friendly,
knowledgeable person, and with such a superior product."
Pat Sutherland, Treasurer
Pilot Mound (MB) Millennium Rec Complex
May 2005
We received this e-mail from Les Kelly stationed at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe
Bay in Hawaii. Les was responding to a colleague living on the island of Kauai who
was looking for information and a recommendation for a supplier of a new
inline dasher board system for his Kauai Inline Hockey League, and he knew
Les's base had recently purchased the Inline Pro Series boards by Sport Systems.
With Les's kind permission, we reprint his response (because frankly, we
couldn't have said it better ourselves):
"Just to let you know, it [choosing Sport Systems to supply the boards for
your inline hockey rink] will be the best investment you will ever make.
The boards, glass, door mechanisms and over all construction of the rink
- we are very pleased. There was a crew of four individuals that worked
very fast and efficiently. It only took three and a half days to assemble
and one day to paint.
As I said, we are very happy in all respects. If you make it to Oahu
give me a call and I'll give you a tour."
Les followed up with a note to Sport Systems VP Adam Pender, noting,
"Adam, I can't thank you and your team enough for the joy that you
brought to this community. We really love this rink, and as one youngster
said 'it's the bomb'. If you are in the area, stop in to play, we have
extra gear."
Mahalo,
Les
(Even a bad day at the rink is better than a
great day a work)
July 2003
"I am writing to let you know how very pleased we are with the new dasher board
systems we purchased and had installed by your company. It is obvious that you
pride yourself in the product which you produce. I am particularly impressed by
your attention to detail. I have seen many rink board systems designed by other
companies and I have yet to see one as fine as yours. You have certainly put much
thought and effort into your product. The man gates close effortlessly, the vertical
lift gate is quick and operates smoothly, and the boards have impressive flex and
play. We have received non-stop compliments ever since we opened.
I would like to compliment you on your staff. Right from the submission of
tenders, everyone we came in contact with was friendly, knowledgeable and a pleasure
to work with. Darryl and your entire installation team worked harmoniously with
my staff and other trades to ensure the project was completed on time and exactly
to specification.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, myself and our staff, please pass on our
compliments to your entire staff. We truly appreciate the first class product
and service we received and are glad that Sport Systems Unlimited was successful
in obtaining this tender. Good luck in your future endeavours although if all
your customers are this satisfied, word will spread and luck will have very
little to do with it."
Vince Vella, Facility Manager
Soo Pee Wee Arena, Sault Ste Marie, ON
"We would like to let you know how pleased we are with the aluminum dasher board
system that was installed in our arena in December of 1999.
We have completed one season with the new board system. We received many
compliments on the appearance and quality of the board system from our users and
spectators. We did not experience any problems in regard to the new system.
All gates, latches, hinges, and board components worked very well.
The Sport Systems staff was excellent to work with on designing a system
that would suit our needs. We have a natural ice arena, which required a few
alterations and adjustments to the board system. The staff was very knowledgeable
and helpful throughout the entire process. The installation crew was very well
trained and provided us with top quality work.
I would like to compliment Sport Systems on the high quality product they produce.
I would recommend the aluminum dasher board systems to other arenas."
Sincerely,
Brenda Barbarie
Leisure Services Coordinator
Township of Macdonald, Meredith & Aberdeen Add'l
Echo Bay, Ontario
Phone: 705-248-2441
"We have the Sport System installed in one of our latest rinks and are very
pleased and satisfied with the product and installation. The one thing I
emphasize to my clients: Ask the suppliers of dasherboards to meet the same
design criteria and testing results that Sport Systems Unlimited provides."
Paul Jackson
Cal-Con Structures Ltd.
1-519-715-9516
"The product you have provided, gives the ice users a system that is very
stable and does not move but at the same time is soft enough which allows a
little bit of give, preventing injuries occurring from body checks etc. This
was not always the case with wood or steel systems."
John Archibald
Facility Supervisor
Acton Arena and Community Center
1-905-873-2600
"The Summit at The Capital Centre is glad to recognize Sport Systems
Unlimited Corp. for their quality work on the installation of our anodized
aluminum dasherboard system and high-tempered glass. Both of our rinks
were built with the highest standards and features that represented our
facility through their dasherboard system. Their service to renovate our
system to their most recent upgrades and developments to improve the
already superb design was outstanding. The promptness at which they were
willing to upgrade the system to recent improvements was much appreciated.
Their quality of work and their immediate service would make me recommend
Sport Systems Unlimited to any other facility looking for a first-rate
dasherboard system."
Scott Keith
Operations/Events Manager
The Summit at The Capital Centre
1-517-319-1000
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Testimonials