After 37 years with COVERMASTER®, Larry Moreland is preparing to retire this November, closing a career defined by innovation and milestones in the sports facility industry. His journey began when COVERMASTER® founder Bob Curry invited him to join the sales team, recognizing Larry’s personable nature and love for sports. “Larry has a very technical mind. He’s great at analyzing plans and noting all the requirements,” Bob recalls—skills that proved invaluable throughout Larry’s tenure.
Larry’s deep connection to sports began in his hometown of Port Credit, Ontario, where he played baseball, soccer, and lacrosse in the summers and football, basketball, and hockey during the colder months. He even dabbled in men’s field hockey and flatwater canoe racing, fueling his lifelong passion for athletics.
Two years into his role at COVERMASTER®, Larry played a pivotal role in outfitting Toronto's SkyDome with baseball padding. One of his standout memories is overseeing the installation of padded chain-link fences, culminating in a grueling 36-hour on-site marathon, to ensure everything was ready just in time for the Blue Jays’ opening game. Larry fondly recalls standing on the field, hardhat and work boots on, alongside Blue Jays and SkyDome brass as Anne Murray performed the national anthems and Jimmy Key threw his warmup pitches.
Larry’s expertise extended beyond SkyDome. He also led padding installations at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, overseeing the installation of padding for a new 12-foot-high outfield fence. A memorable moment came the day before the season opener, as Larry balanced atop the outfield fence installing padding while dodging baseballs during batting practice—a scene that would undoubtedly have made today’s sports highlight reels.
Throughout his career, Larry served as the Regional Representative for Eastern Canada and the U.S. Eastern Seaboard for COVERMASTER®, staying ahead of industry advancements. He took pride that during his time at COVERMASTER® saw the introduction of groundbreaking products such as ULTIMA SERIES™ Gym Floor Covers, the COVERMATE™ Handling System, RAINCOVER ULTRA™, PLATINUM EASYROLL™ Gym Carpet Rolls, the MacLeod Inflatable Field Cover, EVERGREEN® SPECTRUM, TARPMATE™ Air Rollers, MASTERSHIELD™ Turf Protection products, TERRACOVER ICE™, and Polystretch Venue Seat Covers. These innovations significantly expanded the product line of COVERMASTER® and added substantial value for sports facilities across the industry.
Even as Larry retires from COVERMASTER®, his passion for sports remains strong. He continues to be involved in minor hockey, currently serving as president of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario, an organization supporting over 20,000 participants in Southwestern Ontario. A firm believer in the benefits of organized sports for youth, Larry finds joy in helping nurture the next generation of athletes and community leaders. He also looks forward to spending more time with his family and friends, and possibly traveling to Denmark to reconnect with distant friends through hockey.
As Larry reflects on his career, he feels a deep sense of pride in his accomplishments, the friendships he has forged, and the countless memorable moments along the way. And though his time at COVERMASTER® is ending, his active lifestyle and enduring love for sports ensure that his retirement will be anything but quiet.
