Speak to me of covered arenas

[yellowbritches]

There is some talk going around our farm about building a covered arena (not an indoor and NOT a Cover All....yuck). We have a very good start with a leveled area with electricity already at the site (it is currently and unused tennis court!). So, now I'm just going on a little bit of a fact finding mission to figure out costs, etc. The area is roughly 60 x 100.

Who has built a covered arena? Costs? Problems? Thoughts?

[crosscreeksh]

I'll be intrested, too!! That's the size we are planning to build. I'm going to talk to the builder who put up our stable. I believe that in these days of high steel prices a pole/wood structure will be more affordable. Last year I priced steel buildings and the cost was outrageous!! $75,000 for materials alone - not counting concrete (pillar bases) or erection!!!. What I'd give to have the 100x200 covered arena we had back in NC where we DIDN'T really need it, here in OK where we DO!!!!

[Bluey]

You can contact these people and ask them, their bids are free and you may even find how to figure what you want and what it costs from their site:

http://www.ranchandgolf.com/examplelayoutsarenas.html

Check thru the internet with local companies and they will give you an idea of what you are looking at.

My neighbor and I were going to cover my arena this winter, but I injured my shoulder, can't work overhead or push or pull, may need surgery.
We decided to put it off to winter after this, maybe.
The economy is also way too unstable to decide if to spend that kind of money, if we will see any kind of return with what we were going to do, that depends on a stronger horse market than we seem to be going into.