Sports Buildings and Sports Structures Projects

A New Storage Shelter for the Sanford Mainers

When the Sanford Mainers, a New England Collegiate Baseball League team, needed additional space for outdoor cooking and concessions, they turned to Rubb for a solution. The Mainers and Rubb, Inc. are both based in the town of Sanford, Maine and the Mainers home field is historic Goodall Park which is owned by the town of Sanford.

Rubb reviewed the Mainer's requirements for covered cooking and seating areas. Rubb also noticed that the Town could benefit from increased storage areas for park maintenance equipment and supplies. Working with other local stakeholder volunteers and companies, Rubb was able to provide an 11' wide by 104' long custom enclosure that provided space for both the Sanford Mainers baseball team and the Town's Parks and Recreation Department.

The resulting structure has 300 square feet of cooking and seating areas and 900 feet of enclosed storage space with three side access doors. It is erected on a sloping site with simple concrete pier foundations. The framework consists of hot-dip galvanized square tube columns and roof trusses. This framework is clad with a heavy duty, fire-safe, PVC coated polyester fabric material which matches the color of the adjacent grandstand roofs.

In keeping with a strong spirit of volunteerism in Sanford, Rubb was pleased to be able to donate both the materials and labor for the Rubb shelter to the Town of Sanford and to a Mainers organization which has brought enjoyment to thousands of Sanford residents with excellent summer league baseball.

West Bromwich Community Sports Hall - Building Support in the Community

Football Clubs are generally seen as hard-nosed business entities, but in some cases the desire to develop closer ties with the local population is more than just another PR exercise. The Community Sports Hall, built with the backing of West Bromwich Albion FC, is part of a £30 million investment from the Barclays Spaces for Sports initiative to create sustainable sports facilities across the UK.

Following the completion of the clubs indoor soccer training facility in the summer of 2006, Rubb Buildings started on the construction of the sports hall, providing a full service on both projects. The 35m long x 20m span building with an 8.5m column leg height was constructed with a well-engineered steel truss frame system, creating a clear span and high vertical walls making it suitable for a myriad of activities. The interior has been completed with an inner skin and is fully insulated.

The steel frame is covered with a high strength PVC coated polyester membrane. The use of this type of structural membrane allows for the creation of exciting architectural forms, this was demonstrated with the application of a new curved arch roof design; the first of it's kind for Rubb.

The facility can be used for a wide range of activities, including football, wheelchair football, cricket, basketball, volleyball, mini tennis and badminton. By using a prefabricated structure located within the main building, Rubb were able to create changing facilities complete with showers, an office, sports equipment storage, disabled facilities and a cleaner/boiler room. Entry to the building is through a set of double doors at the front. Two firealarmed exits at the back of the hall provide quick exit points in the event of an emergency. Service and maintenance areas are accessed via a 3.5m wide x 4m high roller shutter door at the rear of the premises.

Heating and air conditioning were integral to the build, with the six Ambi-Rad heaters being designed and installed to meet the required internal temperature of 18°C, with four high level Axial Fans and six fresh air louvers providing the hall with the requested 1.5 air changes per hour. The interior has been completed with rebound walls and a state of the art sports flooring, which consists of a 7mm shock pad covered by 2mm of polyurethane.

Sir David Richards, Chairman of the Football Foundation and FA Premier League, added his support for the project. "This outstanding new development offers a host of new sporting opportunities for communities in and around the area, regardless of age, ability or gender," he said.

Tony Mowbray West Bromwich Albion Football Club manager officially opened the sports hall on the 18th January 2007. The whole complex took Rubb Buildings just 15 months from initial ground clearance to completion, with the new facility taking only 5 months of the build time. Tony Mowbray said: "The West Bromwich Albion FC Community Sports Hall project is a great example of how clubs like West Bromwich Albion, sponsors, football bodies and regeneration programmes can come together as partners to benefit the community."

Challenge Unlimited - A Dream Come True

Challenge Unlimited at Ironstone Farm, located in picturesque Andover, Massachusetts, sits a stone's throw away from the busy I-495 corridor just north west of Boston. Ironstone's founder, Richard Donovan, started the farm in 1960 as a breeding and training facility for thoroughbred horses. In 2001, the non-profit Challenge Unlimited purchased Ironstone to preserve the property and its programs for generations to come.

Today, employing horses in a working farm environment, Challenge Unlimited provides beneficial therapy for people with physical, emotional and cognitive disabilities. Having a new riding arena has been a dream for Challenge Unlimited and that dream became a reality this year with the construction of a custom Rubb riding arena. Measuring 80' (24.39m) wide by 200' (60.97m) long with a sidewall height of 19.8' (6m), the Rubb BVE structure sits on an I-beam foundation and was designed to a 30 psf ground snow load and 110 mph 3-second gust wind speed.

After years of experience in the field, Ironstone Farm Founder Richard Donovan used the qualities of the RUBB signature design, incorporated the aesthetic and functional needs of the program, and worked with the RUBB design team to create the ideal structure for Challenge Unlimited. The end result was stunning - a conventional membrane structure with translucent roof that looks like a traditional New England style barn. It is a true melding of modern materials and science with traditional construction. Complete with a 3´ eave overhang, sliding barn doors, and divided light windows, the Ironstone arena gives Challenge Unlimited's riders the feel-good outdoor environment that enhances their therapeutic experience.

Mr. Donovan states "It was a pleasure to work with the folks at RUBB. Their engineers heard and understood our specific needs, were willing to work with us on design changes, and brought the concept to reality."

All of us at Rubb, Inc. are pleased to have been part of this worthwhile project and we support the excellent work that Challenge Unlimited continues to do for so many people. We are proud to add them to our long list of satisfied customers.

West Bromwich Albion Football Club aims to bounce back to the Premier League

Along with new acquisitions to the playing staff, the club has begun the new season with an impressive new indoor football-training center.

Mark Miles, the Facilities Manager at West Bromwich Albion, explained, "We had two main reasons to look into the project. In order for the club to obtain academy status we needed to provide an indoor training facility measuring at least 60 yd x 40 yd. and the first team training was severely hampered when the fields were frozen and during inclement weather." Rubb provided the solution to both objectives; building an indoor facility with a 70m (229.6') span x 105m (344.4') length and 7m (22.96') sidewalls, large enough to accommodate one full size soccer playing field.

Rubb Buildings was awarded the contract following a process of tender and site visits to view the work produced by the various companies. Rubb was able to comprehensively demonstrate their 35 years of experience in the indoor sports building market, with a number of prestigious soccer facilities already under their belt. Mark Miles commented, "The contract was awarded to Rubb as it was believed their building was superior to any of the others and provided the best value for money."

The construction for the full 'turnkey' project was far from straight forward, involving initial site clearance, to the final prelandscaping. Ray Colby, Sales Manager for Rubb Buildings, recalled, "On clearing the site, our next major task entailed laying a complete drainage system with 250m (820') of piping leading back to the road and the installation of 2m (6.56') x 60m (196.8') attenuation tank to provide a hydro brake to restrict the storm water flow into the outfall, limiting the rate of flow of the water into the main drainage system."

Tennis now Under Cover at Chesterfield

Rubb Buildings has just completed a brand new indoor tennis centre for Chesterfield Lawn Tennis Club. Based in one of Rubb's BVE buildings the new center, which includes three full size courts, is 50m (164') in length with a 38m (124.6') span and 5.25m (17.2') sidewalls.

TThe club has been looking for a covered center for some time; and with a specification formulated by a consultant appointed by the Lawn Tennis Association a tender document was prepared and subsequently Rubb were awarded the contract.

In addition to meeting the LTA specification for ventilation and lighting and providing all services, the centre has been constructed with steel clad sidewalls, special fire walls and curtain walling. Periphery curtains and dividing nets separate the individual courts.

A feature of particular interest is a partially-glazed gable end wall, however the real versatility of the Rubb structure is that it has been constructed as an extension to the existing Clubhouse which itself has been renovated.

"Rubb Buildings has been an excellent company to work with," said Paul Hatton, Head Coach of Chesterfield Lawn Tennis Club, "They have provided Chesterfield Lawn Tennis Club with a state of the art indoor sports facility; we are all highly delighted with the arena. The three new indoor courts allow the club to open and function all year round whatever the weather."

Rubb Provides Cover For Newcastle United and Its New Academy

A Team Valley based company has provided Newcastle United and its recently launched Football Academy with the perfect cover for training and playing in the wet winter months. Rubb Buildings literally 'cover the world' in the design, manufacture and installation of fabric covered relocatable sports buildings with plants in the USA and Norway, in addition to Team Valley.

The story starts when Ray Colby, Sales Manager of Rubb Buildings, and an avid Newcastle United fan, heard that the Club was looking for an indoor training center as an integral part of its Football Academy at Longbenton. Ray subsequently approached the Club with the idea of using a Rubb relocatable building. A visit by the Club's senior management to an existing Rubb warehouse facility in Prudhoe was sufficient to convince them that the company could fulfill the Club's requirements.

The building, which is 67 meters x 90 meters, was tailor-made to Newcastle United's own specifications and in-line with planning requirements. "We designed it to make a full game as realistic as possible" commented Ray. "The building houses a full-size soccer pitch and has been constructed to allow sufficient headroom for throw-ins, free kicks and corners to be taken."

A key feature is the translucent roof that allows for much of the training to take place in natural light.

"The Club was delighted that the project was completed on-time and within budget; in all it only took 2 months from start of construction. A major contributory factor to this achievement was the excellent team play from the other contractors and sub-contractors, with everyone understanding the parameters and timescales to work to."

Eddie Rutherford, Facilities Manager at the NUFC Academy, has this to say about the new facility: "The performance Rubb Buildings achieved and maintained during the 'build' program of our new indoor training center was exemplary. There is little doubt that we now have provided the first team and academy with a facility that is built to the highest level. It is something we can all take immense pride in."

The company sees the creation of sports buildings, such as Newcastle's new indoor training facility, as a natural extension of their work. Rubb has already constructed a number of similar sports buildings for football teams and tennis clubs throughout the UK.

Rubb Provides A Turnkey Gym On A Ten Year Lease To a California Charter School

A small charter school in the high desert, northwest of Los Angeles, California, needed a gym and had little capital with which to fund the project. Rubb was able to put together a turnkey proposal that covered the facility costs, lighting, ventilation, sports equipment, flooring and installation; and all of which was funded by a municipal lease.

As with any school-type construction, the facility had to meet both local and state codes without exception. The building, a 100' x 116.67' BVE Range w/16.4' sidewalls also had to take the day to day abuse of over 300 teenagers. Rubb designed and manufactured a hybrid facility with a high quality PVC coated polyester membrane roof, our standard hot dip galvanized steel frame and insulated double sided steel panel walls. The insulated double-sided steel panels provide a damage resistance barrier around the perimeter of the facility to 11' from the base.

Rubb was able to reduce the cost of installing basketball hoops and netting by designing them to be supported from the main steel frame. Rubb worked directly with heating and lighting companies, saving money on the systems and their installation by designing the steel frame to support the systems directly.

The Rubb organization, with production facilities in the United States, Great Britain, and Norway, is recognized as a world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of relocatable structures.

York Sports Center

The Sportsplex Management Group in York, Maine (USA) developed an innovative business model for community sports facilities around the use of Rubb's BVE range relocatable structures.

The 23,300 ft2 facility makes an ideal environment for field lacrosse, hockey and other field sports and also serves as a community center for meetings, shows and other non- sports events.

The Sports Management Group in concert with Rubb, Inc. plans to market the concept throughout the northeastern U.S.

Inquire now to learn how a Rubb Sports Building can meet your indoor sports facility needs or download the informative Sports Buildings PDF.