cost of indoor/covered dressage arena

[kbbarn]

So I am on the board of a horse rescue group. We have a generous donor who wants to build a center that will allow all our horses to be in 1 location ( right now all are in foster homes) but also have a center that can be used by the equestrian community for events year round (snows here in the winter). I suggested a full size dressage arena, indoor thus 100x200 but also a tad bigger for restrooms and spectators. We recently put together an ‘advisory committee’ as well and instantly one of the committee members thinks we should go with a smaller arena 90x 100 since a full size dressage arena will cost over 1 million according to her resources.

Personally, I like to do it right the first time and be able to do all kinds of horse events, and not be limited due to arena size. Yes, we will have an outdoor arena but in order to be functional year round, need indoor.

Who has built this size of arena recently and how much? OR I am I up in the night by wanting to be able to have such a ‘big’ arena?

[FriesianX]

A lot of the cost depends on WHERE you are located! In California, such a ring could cost you close to that. In Nebraska, probably not. Actually, I think a million is a bit high, but I talked to a builder recently who said plan on about $30/sq ft, so a 100x200 would be about $600,000 (I’m in CA though).

[kbbarn]

Thanks, yes - I was thinking more around $600,000 to be the price tag. We are in Utah, Salt lake county

[Elegante_E]

The only way to know for sure is to call around and get bids. Call the big names to get ballpark figures to start with. There is a difference between an indoor with just lights and one with bathrooms, maybe an observation lounge. Snow loads will also affect the cost as does building site. Make a list and call around.

[ise]

Make sure you check your building codes. If this building is for public use and assembly it may have completely different regulations with respect to what you can build and not build. It will also have issues of public access, fire supression, etc. And possibly ADA access.

We built a beautiful 80 x 120 covered arena in late 2006 - construction was $160,000 with wind screens. That didn’t include site work, electric, lightening rods, drainage system (we collect our rainwater off the arena roof into underground tanks - to use for watering).

[YankeeLawyer]

[QUOTE=Elegante E;3524079]
The only way to know for sure is to call around and get bids. Call the big names to get ballpark figures to start with. There is a difference between an indoor with just lights and one with bathrooms, maybe an observation lounge. Snow loads will also affect the cost as does building site. Make a list and call around.[/QUOTE]

I agree; I was going to suggest you get a quote from Morton, at least as a starting point, as they build a ton of these and are able to give very accurate and detailed quotes. Be very wary of quotes that come in at the extreme high or extreme low side, and make sure you are comparing apples to apples when deciding. I have had work done by Morton and by other good companies and I have to say that although Morton quotes have occasionally taken my breath away, what I have found is that frequently they are much more realistic in the true cost of the job than other companies, and ultimately they are fairly competitive on pricing. I have had several companies initially give a fairly low bid, only to spend the next several weeks on the job explaining why all of a sudden something they did not plan on is going to cost more. Also, Morton and other similar companies tend to be very good about adhering to the schedule and completing the work on time.

I would think you could get a nice indoor done for well under 600K; my outdoor all weather arena was 45K and had we intended to cover it, it would have cost less because we wouldn’t have needed to do all kinds of things to ensure it could be rideable in bad weather. My barn, which is 48 x 80, is a Morton and was significantly less than 600K. I know that wider trusses, necessary for an indoor, drive the price up a lot, but my barn is also kitted out inside, which would not be the case for an arena. My guess would be more like 350K, but that is just a guess based on my own experiences.

Re size of the arena – I wouldn’t do anything smaller than a small court (20m x 40 m, plus a little extra around the perimeter) as an absolute minimum, and even that is tough with more than a couple of horses in it at one time (and practically useless for jumping). Also, do note that a full size dressage court is 20m x 60 meters, which is 66 ft x 198 ft, so significantly smaller than the 100 x 200 you mentioned. Given that widening a building is more expensive than lengthening it (due to the type of truss required to support a roof on wider buildings), you may very well be better off sticking closer to full court size than the 100 x 200. That said, I think 100 x 200 would be udeal if you could do it.

[kbbarn]

Many thanks! After going back and forth with a fellow advisory member, I was starting to feel that I was asking for the sun! My original recommendation was for the 100 x 200. The architect reminded me of things like bathrooms and such so a tad bigger. I would be thrilled with just the 100 x 200. I am dealing with quite a few western folks here so they do not see why I want the 100 x 200. Dressage I tell them but one member is not seeing the point of dressage training with the rescue horses. I say dressage is the basis for all horse training but not sure she is listening!

[DJ1]

Because some rescue horses won’t be suited to be trail horses or western pleasure horses and will be best suited for dressage, that’s why And if it is big enough everybody can use it.

[dressagediosa]

Just wanted to add that I don’t know anything about the weather in SLC, but I taught in a Cover-All arena in Maine a few Springs ago, during a horrific rainstorm. It was unfortunately very loud, but very bright and very sturdy. There’s also no special zoning requirements for installing one, as it’s not a building. Possibly a less expensive option?

[Classical_DQ]

indoor/covered arena

Just a comment about the size: If you plan to have shows, you need to have it larger than the actual large arena size. You want the riders to be able to go around the outside of the arena before entering. Having it larger also gives a natural barrier for keeping spectators away from the rail. If the shows will have many spectators consider the slope outside the arena and be sure there is room for bleechers and chairs for watching the rides.

[BaroqueLady]

[QUOTE=dressagediosa;3524766]
Just wanted to add that I don’t know anything about the weather in SLC, but I taught in a Cover-All arena in Maine a few Springs ago, during a horrific rainstorm. It was unfortunately very loud, but very bright and very sturdy. There’s also no special zoning requirements for installing one, as it’s not a building. Possibly a less expensive option?[/QUOTE]

I have a neighbor who has a Coverall arena…private use, she doesn’t have
boarders or students. It is huge…light and airy and seems to encourage the
horses to be forward and relaxed. She graciously permits our local dressage
group to use it for clinics. Check into the cost. I believe it would be
significantly less than a standard truss build arena.

[YankeeLawyer]

[QUOTE=BaroqueLady;3525599]
I have a neighbor who has a Coverall arena…private use, she doesn’t have
boarders or students. It is huge…light and airy and seems to encourage the
horses to be forward and relaxed. She graciously permits our local dressage
group to use it for clinics. Check into the cost. I believe it would be
significantly less than a standard truss build arena.[/QUOTE]

When I looked into this a couple of years ago, cover-all arenas cost the same or more as a high-end indoor arena building, and as I recall had the serious disadvantage of requiring that their covers be replaced every 10 to 15 years, at significant cost. By contrast, a Morton for example has a 50 year warranty on the building and they are excellent about honoring their warranties.

[oldenmare]

Kbbarn:

I would point out to those questioning the size that a standard dressage ring is much smaller than the typical “western” ring - most in our area are at least 150’ x 300’ - ropers in particular like their room!!!

And need plenty of space for Western Pleasure classes, or hunter classes if you can appeal to those crowds as well.

If you’re going to go for “multi-use”, may as well point out the potential other users as well.

Just a thought.

Oldenmare

[patch_work_farm]

I realize it has been a while, but I priced an indoor (with Morton as a matter of fact) 9 years ago, although smaller than what a roper might need, it was $98,000. I decided that I could deal with the elements because I would never recoup my investment and I risked over building my property. At that same time, my trainer put up a Coverall and it was significantly less expensive. I think there are pros/cons to both types of “buildings” (for lack of a better word).

[kbbarn]

All great info. I am going to print this entire thread and take it with me when I meet with the Donor on Monday.

I too thought that western riders need a lot of space. The member that is suggesting a much smaller arena also rides saddleseat - maybe for just going around in circles at 3 gaits, small arenas worked fine for that. The donor wants this rescue to be able to bring in revenue to somewhat support itself. Thus why I thought a nice big arena that be used to accommodate all and hopefully generate revenue via clinics, shows, renting out to groups, etc. The donor also wants to do it right the first time. Same philosophy that I hold! I hate adding on or re-planning already used space.