Rodeo Arenas and Horse Barns
By: David B. South and Freda Parker
Updated December 14, 2006
THESIS: Monolithic Domes make great arenas and barns
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A Monolithic Dome Indoor Rodeo Arena
Yeh Doggies! and Ride em, Cowboy! Gone are the days of pretty girls and dusty ranch hands straddling wooden fences, cheering cowboys on bucking broncos at a local rodeo. During the last decade or so, that local rodeo has evolved into a far more sophisticated event. These days, rodeo spectators want thrills and chills by professional clowns and dare-devils atop horses and bulls, and they want it all happening in the comfort of an indoor rodeo arena.
A Monolithic Dome is a natural as a rodeo arena. Consider the following:
Size A Monolithic Dome rodeo arena can be designed in virtually any size, from a diameter of 100 feet with seating for hundreds to a diameter of 300 feet with seating for thousands. In addition to general seating, accommodations could include luxury skyboxes, announcer and media booths, and officesÑall with handicap access.
Visibility Structurally, a Monolithic Dome requires no internal support from columns or posts, so spectators have a clear view from any seating area.
Pens and Chutes Because a rodeo arena houses animals, their< accommodations as well as cleanliness and maintenance are important. The domes holding pens and chutes can be built of durable, easy-to-hose-off concrete that resists the penetration of a horses hoof or a bulls horns.
Energy Use A Monolithic Dome is energy efficient. Its superior insulation allows the dome to be heated or cooled with less energy than other structure types of a similar size.
Maintenance and Insurance Normal maintenance is easier and less
expensive in a Monolithic Dome. The domeÕs invulnerability to natural
disasters, as well as fire, termites, mildew and mold make it eligible
for lower insurance premiums.
Versatility These days, arenas offer a lot more than rodeo
events. The most popular ones include restaurants, bars and dance
floors. A Monolithic Dome can easily be designed with any or all of
these. It can even be designed to host concerts and sporting events in
addition to rodeos. Or, how about a rodeo arena with a western,
cowboy-themed wedding chapel? It can be done, pardner.
A Monolithic Dome Horse Barn or Riding Arena
What would a Horse Whisperer someone like Monty Roberts say if you asked if horses like feeling comfortable and safe? We think the answer would be an emphatic Yes.
A Monolithic Dome designed as a horse barn or riding arena easily
provides comfort, security and a lot more.
Fire For a traditional wood or metal barn, fire can be catastrophic. It can destroy horses and livestock trapped inside and the structure, resulting in grave emotional and financial losses.
It doesnot take much fire to sag and/or collapse a metal or wood structure. But fire cannot sag, collapse or burn the concrete shell of a Monolithic Dome. If the dome were filled with straw, the straw might burn, but the fire could be contained. As for smoke inhalation, proper ventilation can diminish that danger.
Other Natural Disasters Fire is not the only disaster that can kill horses and destroy structures. Tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes Ñeven termitesÑare a few other unwelcome visitors. A Monolithic Dome is impervious to those dangers and can provide the owners with a personal disaster shelter!
Rapid Wear Manure acids and urine against the sides of a metal
or wood building will quickly remove paint, corrode the metal or rot
the wood. Those same destructive components cannot harm the interior
concrete walls of a Monolithic Dome.
Comfortable Interior Temperatures Because a Monolithic Dome inherently evens out temperature fluctuations throughout a day, the environment inside the dome will be far nicer than it is outsideÑ warmer in the winter and cooler in the summerÑeven without heat or air conditioning.
Competitive Pricing Traditionally, horse barns and riding
arenas have been built without insulation and as inexpensively as
possible. In the past, the metal building was far less expensive than
a Monolithic Dome, making it difficult for Monolithic to compete.
That is no longer the case. Because of the rising cost of metal, the
Monolithic Dome is now competitively priced. Then too, a Monolithic
Dome is virtually maintenance free and will last for centuries, saving
you money during decades of use.
Imagine the Possibilities
Design and planning are critical to an efficient and functional equestrian facility. Monolithic Domes can be designed as small arenas for private use or as large breeding facilities, riding arenas or horse boarding and training centers.
Contact us with your ideas for a rodeo arena, riding arena, barn or any other animal facility. Monolithic will do a Free Evaluation. We welcome a chance to show you what we can do. Monolithic also offers complete Feasibility Studies. So begin your research here by looking through our website. Keep in mind that any of the church or commercial domes you see on our site can be designed to accommodate your equestrian needs.
Related Links:
- The Monolithic Construction Process
- Index of Larger Monolithic Dome Projects -- Partial List In Alphabetical Order by State
- "R" Fairy Tale -- The Myth of Insulation's R-Value
- Surviving Tornadoes and Hurricanes
- Monolithic Dome Survives Engulfing Flames of California Wildfire
- Monolithic Domes Protect 30 Humans and 800+ Pets from Hurricane Frances
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Tel (972)483-7423 - Fax (972)483-6662
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