UQTR SPORTS BLEACHERS

UQTR is the local university in Three Rivers, Canada. Situated where the Saint Maurice River drains into the mighty Saint Lawrence River, Three Rivers is a small city of 140,000 people and its strategic location made it the birthplace of industrialization in Canada and the first major Hydro Electrical Development in the Western Hemisphere. This deep industrial heritage lives on in the ethos of UQTR as it produces the engineers of tomorrow.

UQTR needed to refurbish its sports field and replace the deteriorated bleachers but unlike the larger, well-known universities in big cities like Montreal that have huge endowments, UQTR had to work within strictly limited budgets.

This need to not only limit initial costs but to also assure maximum service life in order to reduce annual amortization cost played right into one of the strongest hands in the Hot-Dip Galvanizing deck of cards.

The amazing initial value of Hot-Dip was substantially lower than quality paint systems, this is often the case in structures like bleachers where the high surface area to weight raises painting cost substantially. Next advantage Hot-Dip came during erection, the robust nature of the zinc coating is vastly more resistant than fragile paints, this permitted easier transport, faster erection and no need for costly and ineffective paint touch-ups for erection damage.

Then of course comes the unbeatable life-cycle cost of Hot-Dip; near zero maintenance, extremely long service life plus amazing abrasion, wear and impact resistance. Additionally, the fully recyclable and benign nature of pure natural zinc compares starkly to the toxic and unpronounceable chemical cocktail of non-recyclable modern paints.

Lastly, the ability of Hot-Dip to protect both the interior and exterior of the tubular stringers that support the entire structure provide protection from the scary reality of hidden internal corrosion. A good thing to have beneath you when 800 excited school boosters, many of them future engineers, pound their feet in unison for the home team!

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