Clean Run Magazine - June 2009 - 74

By Mark and Cindy Bills Winter cold and snow or summer’s intense heat pushes many agility enthusiasts indoors to practice. Rain or a work schedule that doesn’t fit available daylight can also make outdoor practice time impossible. Many of us take a weekly indoor class to maintain our skills while waiting for the weather to cooperate again. We want to get back outside and really have a chance to play. Size What size building is right for you? Your budget will play a large role in making this decision, but there are other factors to consider. ● A larger building will be more versatile, making teaching classes or holding special events possible. Sufficient size may open the door to opportunities to create revenue. Most agility rings are at least 75' wide. So if you build anything much narrower you limit your options for course layouts. When planning a building, check into the cost of larger sizes. Many people are surprised to find that the additional square footage is less expensive per square foot than the initial structure. This is because many of the costs of the basic building are fixed costs, and adding an extra few feet often does not affect the overall cost significantly. It’s worth investigating. Besides, we’ve never spoken with anyone who said, “I made this building too big.” Make sure to check your local building codes before starting your project. Limitations on overall size, height, and style of construction may exist. You can apply for variances for your project but it does take time. Do your investigative work and find out what options you have. ● ● ● What if you could create your own training environment? Build your own place to play, day or night, hot or cold, and yes, even wet? What if you built your own indoor agility arena? For many, building your own facility seems an impossible dream. But did you know for the cost of a nice RV, you could build that place to train? It doesn’t have to be just a wish. With the right business plan, your building may even generate enough income to pay for itself. Imagine stepping into your own arena and playing with your dogs any time you want! A building project like an agility arena can seem daunting at first. How big is big enough? What kind of building should I build? What kind of running surface will be right for training? What about heating? Will lighting be needed? And how can I figure the cost? 74 TypeS of ConSTRuCTion There are three main building construction styles to consider, a wood pole building, a structural steel building, and a fabric tension building. No one style is better than another, but careful consideration of the pros and cons of each style will help you decide which type will meet your needs and give you a great place to train for many years to come. Wood pole Building Pole buildings are the most common construction style used for agriculture and equine purposes. As the name implies, the building is constructed by anchoring it to a series of poles set into the ground; no concrete foundation is necessary. Wood framing is attached to the poles and then covered with either metal sheeting or wood sheeting with siding and shingles. The advantages to a pole building are its relative low cost as compared to the other two types of structures and the fact that most general contractors have the skills to build a pole building. The disadvantages of a pole building are the limited sizes that can be built, the ceiling height, and the necessity for installing more lighting than required for other types of buildings. Clean Run | June 09

Clean Run Magazine - June 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - June 2009