As the belts start moving and the motors quietly pull out the stands, the Lethbridge Polytechnic Students’ Association is feeling relieved after the two months of broken bleachers which cancelled a variety of events in the process. Students across campus can now return to play in their intramural leagues playing floor hockey and volleyball.

At the start of January the bleachers were taken out for a regular Kodiak basketball game. Once the game concluded, the staff noticed when they were putting the bleachers back into their formation against the wall they were a bit crooked and couldn’t close all the way. 

Ada Larson, manager of athletics and recreation said over time the mechanical gears to operate the bleachers had failed. 

“So it turns out that a couple motors had failed. Just kind of over time, causing them to be crooked as they came in and out. So eventually, some brackets were bent and steel parts were bent and motors completely gave up.” 

Recreation services hired local electricians to fix them so the bleachers could be temporarily fixed and usable.

The bleachers were pulled out to prevent further damage. There were many affected by the seating for the large volume of fans that regularly show up to games. Schools who had planned to rent out the gym for a volleyball tournament with no space had their event cancelled.

The students who were part of the LPSA intramural leagues were affected the most because they could not have their regular games which lead to them canceling four weeks of sports. Lauren Wyatt, a nursing student at the polytechnic and team captain felt bad for not having a space for her team to play.

“It has affected me very negatively. I’ve had to disappoint my team every week by telling them that volleyball is canceled.” 

After two months the bleachers are now back in working order as of the beginning of March.

With the bleachers causing no sports, students like Tyler Berdusco and Sawyer Scott have had to find new things to do in their free time. 

“I’m now watching Survivor or scrolling reels,” said Berdusco. 

On the other hand Scott was like Wyatt had a whole team disappointed in not gearing up for regular games.

“I had to text my team every week telling volleyball I was canceled. So now they all hate me with a burning passion. And to replace volleyball, I would either be scrolling Instagram or having some drinks with the boys,” said Scott.

As of March 10, one day behind the original projection date the bleachers were fixed and put away. Which allowed for the LPSA to start their leagues back up, Students are thrilled by the news they have their sports back. On Wednesday March 18 students who are part of the volleyball league were also very excited to be hitting the courts once again.