Janet & Sid Erickson's Riding Arena

 

Location: Helena, MT
Building Size: 120' W x 200' L
Application: Fabric Covered Indoor Riding Arena

A Dream Come True - Fabric Covered Building - Indoor Riding Arena

Inside the Erickson's Fabric Covered Rounded Peak Indoor Riding Arena

The vast amount of light, the natural environment, and the ability to ride anytime impressed the Ericksons.

Along Interstate 15 in the Helena valley, Montana, reside Sid and Janet Erickson.  The Erickson's dream of the day they can retire and enjoy their passion for horses full time.  Janet has been a schoolteacher for more than 25 years and her husband Sid is a veterinarian, chiropractor and acupuncturist that travels all over the country.  "I've taught Health Enhancement for 25 years; I still love kids but my passion is horses," laughs Janet.

In the fall of 2003, the Erickson's made one more step to fulfill their dream with the purchase of a 24,000 square foot fabric covered indoor riding arena.  For more than a year, the Erickson's researched and visited numerous types of indoor riding arenas prior to making their purchase.  "What impressed us about the fabric covered building we viewed was the light, the natural environment," says Janet.  "We toured numerous fabric covered building customer locations.  The response we heard about the satisfaction on their tension fabric building purchase and the manner in which Bill and Michele worked with them was consistently positive.  Sid also liked the idea that we can add on to or relocate the fabric building in the future if we need to," says Janet.

"I've had several people mention to me that whenever I'm talking about my indoor riding arena, I've got a big smile on my face.  They know my comments are coming from the heart. We couldn't be happier!"  Janet Erickson

After their year of research and planning, the Erickson's placed the order for a 120 foot wide x 200 foot long fabric covered arena and began construction.  "When we finally decided on the type of indoor arena we wanted, I couldn't wait for it to be constructed."  Much to Janet's wishes the speed at which the fabric covered arena was constructed was an unexpected and pleasant surprise.  The fabric covered building install crew arrived on site on Tuesday and by the following Saturday, the Erickson's were doing a final building inspection.  "When the install crew arrived, they worked around the clock," says Janet.  "I remember one night I went outside to check the progress and was so overwhelmed with the size of the tension fabric building, the way the lights lit up the framework, it looked like a coliseum.  In tears, I phoned my husband who was out of state working, crying 'It's beautiful; I never imagined it would be so big.' It was the greatest gift my husband could have ever given me," says Janet.

The response from the Erickson's horses has been equally enthusiastic.  "The footing remains perfect 100% of the time.  Our horses love the arena, they feel like they're running outside," says Janet.  "When I go to other arenas to compete, the buildings are usually dark and gloomy and have a low ceiling and the horses tend to be scared and rigid.  When I come home to my fabric covered arena, I feel like I'm on a cloud riding in this light, happy arena and my horses feel like they are free.  I put on my music and am able to ride up to six horses a night.  The acoustics are awesome, all I have for a stereo system is a little boom box, but it sounds like I have a huge PA system."

"I pinch myself daily; it's almost too good to be true.  I often lose track of time and find myself riding into the early morning hours.  The arena is my sanctuary away from work," says Janet.  "I recommend a fabric covered building to everyone who stops in to look at the arena.  I've had several people mention to me that whenever I'm talking about my arena, I've got a big smile on my face.  They know my comments are coming from the heart.  We couldn't be happier," says Janet.

Outside the Erickson's Fabric Covered Indoor Riding Arena from the Road - Milestones Building & Design

Janet & Sid Erickson's fabric covered riding arena in Helena, Montana 120' x 200' Fabric building.

 

The Ericksons Use their Fabric Covered Indoor Riding Arena for Community Meetings Too

The Ericksons also use their fabric covered building for hosting community events.

 

Dusk at the Erickson's Fabric Covered Indoor Riding Arena - Milestones Building & Design

The fabric covered riding arena at dusk "Dreams do come true."

 

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