smilie_riley
Member
I've recently moved to a property with stables and an old arena. When we moved in, it was greener than the fields but gradually I have managed the clear most of the weeds. What I am left with is a 35 x 20 ménage with one good fence along the long side, rotten kick boards and a scant sand surface. It used t hold water when it was covered in greenery but since it has been cleared, it has drained well although there doesn't appear that any drainage has been built in. We are on old brickfields and even with heavy rain, we have virtually no mud so I can only suppose that there is an element of natural drainage.
Ideally, I want to extend it to 40 x 20, replace the rotten kickboards and fencing and put down a sand a rubber surface. I have asked for quotes from a number of arena construction companies and they all want to clear back the old surface and construct a whole new arena at the cost of £30,000 plus.
I was originally going along with this plan but there is a lot to do on the house and I am wondering if I can justify paying £30,000 for a bit better drainage and 5 metres. Part of me thinks about hiring someone to pull back the sand surface and dig out the 5 metres, replicate what's already there in the 5 metre strip and then resurface.
I know it won't have great drainage etc etc but I only want to pootle about with my old boy. I'm not looking to compete again just have some fun and if it's a bit wet on places, we'll just avoid them until they dry out.
For anyone who hasn't died of boredom - what would you do?
Ideally, I want to extend it to 40 x 20, replace the rotten kickboards and fencing and put down a sand a rubber surface. I have asked for quotes from a number of arena construction companies and they all want to clear back the old surface and construct a whole new arena at the cost of £30,000 plus.
I was originally going along with this plan but there is a lot to do on the house and I am wondering if I can justify paying £30,000 for a bit better drainage and 5 metres. Part of me thinks about hiring someone to pull back the sand surface and dig out the 5 metres, replicate what's already there in the 5 metre strip and then resurface.
I know it won't have great drainage etc etc but I only want to pootle about with my old boy. I'm not looking to compete again just have some fun and if it's a bit wet on places, we'll just avoid them until they dry out.
For anyone who hasn't died of boredom - what would you do?
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