Tips to build Riding Arena in Kelowna

Don’t let your dream arena become a nightmare because of lack of knowledge or poor planning. There are many pitfalls you need to avoid so here are the top tips on how to build riding arena in Kelowna that will save you heartache and help make your dream riding arena a reality.

A Place for Everything:

The location you choose for your riding arena will directly affect the price of site preparation. Select an area that is as level as possible to avoid extra costs for soil removal, rock excavation, and drainage issues. If your site needs to be built up on one side to make a level area, be certain the entire site is well compacted and allow time for the material to settle before building.

Today’s technology means many bulldozers have laser level abilities and the operator can ensure that the entire site is level to within an inch.

Now is the time to lay the foundation for the footing. Most contractors will suggest a gravel layer with stone dust compacted on top. This will then be ready for the installation of footing materials later on. I personally don’t suggest installing the footing before construction as the heavy equipment may damage it.

                             

Additionally, footing installed before construction is complete also provides a great place for errant nails to hide. Once the arena is complete, I recommend combing the entire arena with a metal detector to pick up any nails or other hazards.

When leveling the site situated for drainage remembering that water will flow off the roof and downhill. Gutters on the building are a “must have.” Ensure that you face the building to avoid prevailing winds tugging at the doors. The gable end is the best place to install doors, as the gable ends won’t be subject to snowfall from the roof.

Avoid placing the building next to tree lines as the compaction of the site for the arena may affect their growth and perhaps even result in the trees dying. Unhealthy trees quickly become a hazard during high winds as they may fall onto the building.

To prevent mud and puddles always add a 10-foot contingency apron around the building. 

Size Matters:

The best size for a useful riding space is 70 to 80 feet wide. For dressage, it is possible to work with a training level size arena that is 120 feet long.  Ideally, the indoor riding arena design you build should be large enough to accommodate more than one horse and rider using it at the same time.  Every dressage rider should expect they’ll transcend training level and want a full-size space.

                                 

For other disciplines, such a show jumping, the arena needs to be wide enough to facilitate turns between fences. If you expect to have auditors and other visitors allow space at the end or side of the arena as a ‘safe zone’ for them to stand or sit.

It is important to also carefully consider the height of the building as well. For jumpers, the trusses or rafters, need to be high enough that there is no danger of a mounted rider hitting their head on them over the fence.

Allow space for lighting in the arena.  Standard height is 18 feet. Height is also important for the use of equipment to access the building for repairs, lighting maintenance, and footing installation and replacement.

Light and Airy Riding Arena:

The more natural light your riding arena design features the less you’ll need to spend on the electric bill.  Insider Tip:  consult your local power company before you add your artificial lighting because of many offer grants and free advice on energy saving fixtures.

                                   

Semi-transparent light panels - sometimes referred to as ‘side lights’ – just under the eaves will maximize the sun’s natural light to brighten the interior.  The extra cost of this upgrade pays for itself in the long run by reducing your monthly electric bill and extending the life of your light fixtures.  We recommend a 2’-3’ foot tall section of these panels running along both sides of the building and suggest they be slightly opaque rather than clear as that hides the interior framing and creates a cleaner look from the outside.

Sidelights are preferable to roof light panels for several reasons.  First, skylights increase the risk of a leak.  Additionally, the interior/underside of the roof is likely to become dusty over time and, as you can imagine, skylights would be difficult to reach for the time-consuming task of cleaning.  No one has time for that!  As the years go by, you’re left with an increasingly dim interior riding space. Finally, side light panels are also less expensive to install and offer more light as they cover a larger surface area than skylights would.

Quality of Materials:

Quality of materials used must be high-quality. It is paramount that the entire structural plans must be professionally certified and designed by a licensed engineer, even if your local building office does not require any permits for agricultural buildings.

The pillars must be properly cemented to correct depth.  The truss system must not just offer a clear span riding area for safety, it must also meet and hopefully exceed the snow load requirements for your area. This is not an area on which to skimp. I personally know of several indoors where the roof is shingle and the truss system inadequate.  The snow has to be manually removed each year when it reaches a certain depth to avoid collapse. This is a dangerous situation and should be avoided at all costs.

                                 

To avoid condensation also consider having the roof insulated. And, if the roof is a light colored metal, it will keep the building cooler in the summer by reflecting the heat.

Safety First:

The addition of an angled knee-wall or rider guard is a good idea to prevent horses from hitting the wall with their hooves.  More importantly, it also protects the rider’s knees from the impact on a pillar or wall. The material used should be sturdy as the wall will take some abuse over time. A knee-wall is also a useful way to improve the interior appearance of the building as it breaks up the sight line to the roof.

                           

Aside from the huge doors to access the building with large equipment, be sure to include at least one regular-sized door for human access. If you plan to use your indoor for the public, one exit door will be required on each side of the building. Talk with your Building Officer for local zoning requirements.

Access to the arena is also very important. Allow for visitor parking and lay in a driveway so that heavy equipment can access the site easily during construction and afterward for repairs, maintenance and deliveries.

Do not forget to include the cost of footing materials in your budget. Good footing is important for the soundness of the horse and for the safe use of the arena for turns in jumping and barrel racing. While sand and rubber based footings are common, with sand is the cheapest option, there is a myriad of choices for footing with some being very pricey.

It is sometimes possible to save money by repurposing the footing from public venues that are replacing their materials. Expect to replace footing periodically. I don’t know where it disappears to but it does!

Take permission from local Building Officer:

Before you get too far into planning this important project consult your local Building Officer to find out what permits and licenses are required. A good Riding Arenas Kelowna construction company will provide all the specs, plans or engineered drawings that are required and aid you in making any necessary adjustments before construction begins.

Warranty:

Most building materials, such as siding and roofing, come with a manufacturer’s warranty against defect.  A good structural steel building company for riding arena will also offer a warranty on their workmanship in addition to references for previous jobs that are similar in nature. 

Riding arena is a major improvement to your property and a major expense so be prudent and do your due diligence before you designate the contractor, sign on the dotted line and hand over a deposit.

Finance Options:

Various companies can help through the process of obtaining financing. The application process is simple, safe and secure.

At the end of the day, there’s a lot of ground to cover and more details then you may have anticipated but this arena building guide should make the project feel a little less daunting and get you well on the way to building the horse arena of your dreams!