Evolving Backyards for Growing Families with Athletic Flooring
By Lea Currie
The backyard has quietly become one of the busiest “rooms” in the house. It’s no longer just a space for summer lounging, but a place where basketballs echo after dinner, kids turn every surface into an obstacle course and couples reignite their competitive streak over a pickleball match. Increasingly, Manitoba families are rethinking what a backyard should be; instead of a seasonal afterthought, it’s about creating a living space built to grow and evolve throughout the seasons and years.
That growing demand for flexible, long-lasting backyard design is exactly what Athletic Flooring is seeing across the province.
“People don’t want something temporary anymore,” says Gary Weinberg, owner of Athletic Flooring. “They want a backyard that works for their family now, but can also adapt as their kids grow and their lifestyle changes.”
That philosophy is behind the appeal of PowerGame Traction from Sport Court, a premium modular sports surface engineered specifically for Canadian conditions. Designed with advanced traction technology and an open-grid system for rapid drainage, the court stays ready for action through wet mornings, summer storms and Manitoba’s unpredictable weather.
“In our climate, performance and durability matter,” says Weinberg. “This surface was made for Canadian backyards, not adapted afterward.”
Unlike traditional concrete courts, PowerGame Traction is designed with shock absorption and lateral forgiveness to reduce stress on joints and improve comfort during quick movement and play.
“It’s a higher-performance surface, but it still feels right in a residential setting,” says Weinberg. “Families want something that looks great in their backyard while still giving them that professional-level play experience.”
That versatility is a major draw. A single space can shift from basketball to pickleball to tennis throughout the summer and then become a backyard hockey rink in winter – adapting for both the season and family needs.
Athletic Flooring is bringing that same modular mindset to outdoor play through Rainbow Play Systems, premium wooden playsets designed to expand over time. Families can begin with swings and slides, then add monkey bars, climbing walls or extra towers as children grow older and more adventurous.
“The modular design is what makes it so appealing,” says Weinberg. “You’re not replacing the whole structure every few years. You’re building onto it as your family changes.”
Together, Sport Court and Rainbow Play Systems are helping homeowners rethink what a backyard can be: not just a place to sit, but a space designed to grow, move and evolve for years to come.
For more information, visit Athletic Flooring at www.athleticflooring.ca.
