Expansive Enclosure

by Jonathan McGaha | 1 December 2014 12:00 am

Excellent equestrian expansion is Metal Building Winner by a nose

Florida’s Miami-Dade County Equestrian Center at Tropical Park in Miami hosts 36 shows a year and is a popular attraction to witness the world’s most majestic equestrian breeds. Among major events held there was the 2013 Confederation of Paso Fino Horse Show, a world-class competition involving more than 1,000 horses from 12 Caribbean, Central and South American countries, that drew in excess of 20,000 local, national and international visitors.

To foster both economic and tourist importance to Miami-Dade County, $8.7 million in improvements were made to the facility. The goal, per Miami-Dade County Commissioner Javier Souto, was to allow large-scale events that would attract international participants and spectators. For this expansion a metal building system was supplied by Varco Pruden (VP) Buildings, Memphis, Tenn.

Two covered arenas, each 55,000 square feet, and four lighted, covered connecting walkway canopies connecting new ring enclosures to existing horse barn facilities were designed by Miami-based architectural firm Laura M. Perez & Associates Inc. The center now includes 3.7 acres of exhibition and competition area. It houses 267 horse stalls for use during large equestrian events. “The new equestrian center plan maximizes features of one of our busiest parks,” says Jack Kardys, Tropical Park parks director. “The new covered arenas will give us more flexibility to offer a wider variety of spectator and exhibition events.”

The success of this is largely due to the efforts of award-winning, design-build firm Lemartec Engineering and Construction Corp., Miami. It installed VP’s gray primed primary steel, 24-gauge Vee Rib (VR) metal wall panels 24-gauge standing seam high wind roof (HWR) panels, and galvanized girts and purlins. The building’s pre-engineered, clear-span, open-web truss framing provides no interior supports that would obstruct performance and viewing. Both main arenas are 200- by 275-feet long and have a ridge height just over 43 feet.

The equestrian center needed a clear-span building. The project needed to be completed quickly, in time for an event. “The new metal design was able to match the look of the existing center structure, provide a weather-resistant solution and still provide the construction speed necessary,” says Laura M. Perez, RA, LEED AP BD+C, president of Laura M. Perez & Associates Inc. “Metal provided an aesthetically pleasing look, long life and a low life cycle cost, while providing excellent clear span capabilities required; all at an excellent price point,” says Manny García- Tuñón, president of Lemartec. “VP Buildings’ truss framing not only allowed for plenty of natural ventilation throughout the structure, but also eliminated shadows on the performance area by allowing light to easily disperse through the open web rafter members.”

Concrete could not perform practically and economically in this situation, and even conventional steel would require sections far larger than a preengineered solution. All of the steel used is recycled or recyclable and thus scores LEED points. García-Tuñón believes the climate of south Florida, specifically the heat of the day and cooling of the night, made VP Buildings’ HWR an excellent choice. “The expansion and contraction characteristics of the products have proven to work well in this climate,” he says. “In addition, to the obvious from the product name, HWR has Miami-Dade Notice of Approval to conform to the nation’s most stringent high wind requirements.”

There is also a new public address sound system for the entire complex, as well as new landscaping and new striping for the parking area. The improvements will further complement the site’s existing amenities, including its grand promenade, spectator seating, two grass courses, vehicle hookups, restrooms and concession.

“I am thrilled at this new development,” says Commissioner Souto. “This will allow us to bring in large-scale events to this park that will attract international participants and spectators. And that will create a tremendous economic boost for this community; because those same visitors will give their patronage to area hotels, car-rental companies, restaurants, retail shops and other business.”

Tropical Park Equestrian Center, Miami

Award: 2014 MCN Building & Roofing Awards: Metal Building System
Completed: October 2013
Total square footage: 165,000 square feet
Building owner: Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces
Architect: Laura M. Perez
& Associates Inc., Miami
Civil engineer: SRS Engineering Inc[1]., Miami
General contractor/metal installer: Lemartec Engineering and Construction Corp.[2], Miami
Landscape architects: Curtis and Rogers Design Studios[3], Miami
Structural engineers: Cankat-Essman, Miami
MEP engineers: Fraga Engineers[4], Coral Gables, Fla.
Metal fabricator, walkway canopy supplier and pre-engineered framing supplier: Varco Pruden Buildings, Memphis, Tenn., www.vp.com[5]

Source URL: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/articles/expansive-enclosure/

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