The Kramer Arena ("the Dome") gets a facelift!
For the 4th of July, a shining local example of the good work by many in the community to bring the Showgrounds back to their intended use as a high quality show facility as well as improve it’s viability as a emergency staging and evacuation site and community resource. We look forward to this critical improved community facility serving more groups and more uses.
The construction work is well within social distancing requirements and is approved to continue.
This post highlights the work in the Dome (Officially called the Kramer Arena). The new specialized draining mat grids were installed over the French drains, so the base is ready for top footing next week. This work is being done by Footings West Unlimited under contract to SBEquineEvac. The excavation and base was done by Bob’s Backhoe with discounted material from Granite Construction. The walls were repainted by the EWS staff using paint and supplies donated by Lisa Novatt. The doors are being rebuilt to their original size by EWS using material donated by SBEquineEvac. The new sound system has been installed by AllStage Pro, funded by donations through EWSF, work coordinated through Courtney Cochrain. The manlift to install the sound system and replace lighting was donated by Giffin Rental. All the funds for this work were generously donated by individuals and groups in our wonderful community!
History and fun details in upcoming posts.
Thank You!
The Renovation Team at SBEquineEvac.
PS, We stopped fund raising as soon as the Covid19 crisis hit as we had sufficient funds to complete the arenas, equipment and general facilities needs that are currently underway. There are still many smaller but important needs that we do not have the funds for in the short term. These include fixing the gutters in the Dome, replacing rotting facia boards, planters and some landscaping around the rings, new tables and chairs for the show office, judges booths, announcer’s stands, etc. Once we have finished the
We are on the homestretch at Earl Warren Showgrounds!
First, I apologize for not posting more updates; I can pull a renovation out of a hat filled with Covid, but am not a natural Facebook person. That said, We have so much to be excited about!
One of our technical team, Penny Wardlaw fought hard to get approval for the Arabian Region 2 Championships as scheduled June 16-21. When turned down in Santa Barbara, she managed to move a huge show to another location. Kudos to her! That allowed us more time to expand our work and save our donors money on ring work.
The beautiful Buckley Fence will be completed early this week thanks to Michele Bandinu and his fantiastic crew at Custom Hardscapes. This powder coated steel fence is durable, safer for the horses, and we built a fully removeable center walkway so Hunter Derbies and driving events can be held spanning both rings.
Next week Footings West is coming in to do the final laser leveling and put in the top top footing.
Meanwhile AllStagePro Sound is installing all new sound systems in the Dome and outdoor arenas, the EWS is painting the Dome walls and sealing the gutters.
We are setting a final date for a soft opening event, hopefuly in Mid July where all disciplines can come in a ride the footing and celebrate the ongoing revival of Earl Warren as a high quality equine facility! Stay tuned!
On to the Dome!
Some more positive news in our uncertain times.
The Mountain View and Warm Up arena base is done and awaiting the arrival of Footing West to cover the french drains and putting on the top sand. Then we put in the beautiful new Buckley Fencing with movable center walkway.
Bob's Backhoe started on the Dome where we uncovered the bottom steps buried for decades by sand added to the ring. Stay tuned for more photos and videos as this work continues.
While working on the arenas we identified a couple of needed improvements and built them in to our project. We added under ground conduits for electricity and sound systems. The sewer line to the office restrooms and Munchies backed up and we learned that the old clay pipes were buried under the arenas putting the rings at risk of being dug up. Working with EWS staff, plumbers and Mike Hearn, we decided the best design is to reroute the sewer line around the arena. Better yet, we realized we can improve the southern bleachers which are too low and often flood after any rains. Our current work includes raising and refurbishing the bleachers. See future posts for all these small but exciting details.
The construction work is well within social distancing requirements and is approved to continue. We look forward to this critical improved community facility serving more groups and more uses. Stay safe and we will continue to post photos and updates.
The Renovation Team at SBEquineEvac.
As a reminder, our goal is to rebuild the arenas with safe footing and to renovate the barns to serve the community’s needs for evacuation, emergency response, equestrian and multi-use events. This will be a phased project. Santa Barbara Equine Evacuation and Assistance Team, Inc. a 501(c) (3) is sponsoring and managing the project with full approval of the 19thDAA/EWS. You can find our plan, map, and timeline here: bit.ly/EWSEquineRenoPlan
We have raised over $560,000 of the estimated $750,000 needed for Phase One. We are so thankful to
Some positive news in our uncertain times.
The new base and french drains under construction passed a great test of 2 rain storms with flying colors, immediate drainage, no erosion, no puddling even though not complete or final leveled.
Less than 24 hours after the wonderful rains, Bob's Backhoe is back to work on completing the new base in the Mountain View and Warm Up Arenas. We plan to complete the base this week and for Footings West to laser level and build the top footing next week. The Dome will start next week when we are sure the predicted rains are gentle.
The construction work is well within social distancing requirements and is approved to continue. We look forward to this critical improved community facility serving more groups and more uses. Stay safe and we will continue to post photos and updates.
The Renovation Team from Www.SBEquineEvac.org.
Massive Reno at the Arenas
Please support this project! Thank you to all who are sending donations! Www.SBEquineEvac.org
Mountain View Arena Makeover
Backhoes and Dump Trucks and Bulldozers, oh my! Another great day of progress on therenovation project. Join the excitement!
Stay tuned for more details.
You are the ones that are making this happen through your donations. SBEquineEvac has raised over $530,000 (currently in the dedicated Renovation account). We need your help to reach our phase 1/2 goal of $750,000 to redo the rings and 2-3 barns. We won’t stop there. Once actual barn options, other needs and costs are developed (and approved by the 19th DAA Board) we anticipate our total goal to approach $1,500,000.
Please donate to SBEquineEvac.org.
Donations are payable to Santa Barbara Equine Assistance and Evacuation Team Inc, Memo: “Showgrounds Equestrian Renovation Fund” By mail to PO Box 60535 Santa Barbara, CA 93160.
You can also send funds via Venmo: Download Venmo, send to SBEquine-Evac Team In memo put: “Showgrounds Equestrian Restoration Fund” or “SERF”
As a reminder, our goal is to rebuild the arenas with safe footing and to renovate the barns to serve the community’s needs for evacuation, emergency response, equestrian and multi-use events. This will be a phased project. Santa Barbara Equine Evacuation and Assistance Team, Inc. a 501(c) (3) is sponsoring and managing the project with full approval of the 19thDAA/EWS. You can find our plan, map, and timeline here: bit.ly/EWSEquineRenoPlan
Santa Barbara Equine Evacuation and Assistance Team, Inc.
Compacting and grading before the hard base goes in
Bob's Backhoe is moving right along, running the heavies full time. Please help! Donate! www.sbequineevac.org
More video of the Warm Up Arena almost ready for new base
More video of the Warm Up Arena almost ready for new base
Building the Sub Base in the Mountain View Arena
Further Updates from Earl Warren Showgrounds
Bob’s Backhoe & Trucking has gone above and beyond to build a well graded sturdy recompacted subbase on the Mountain View and Warm Up Arenas and the actual base should go in early next week. Where others may have just graded the subbase, Bob’s excavated deeper and is carefully recompacting the sub-base so there is an excellent foundation for the base we are bringing from Garnite Construction at great discount. Here are some videos and photos of the work today. The base will be completed and the fence debris removed before the exciting Valdivia Jaripeo on March 8th in the Kramer Arena (“the Dome” to the horse crowd). After that event Bob’s will move into the Kramer Arena while the top footing will be installed in the outdoor rings.
After careful review of several excellent footings contractors, we selected Footings West to supply and install the laser graded top footing. Footings West has an excellent reputation with high performance English and western clients and are working with us to come up with the best multi-disciple footing. Dave Martin and Nick Byassee came up on Tuesday to review final options and details and are excited to be part of rebuilding Earl Warren as a top quality show facility. Nick actually showed in the Dome back in the day. They are also bringing discounts and sponsors to help with the many needs we have at EWS.
The tech team is now evaluating some fabulous fencing options, so stay tuned for more updates. We are also evaluating all those fittings and features that improve the show experience such as judges stands, sound system and announcer’s stands, gates and viewing areas. We are doing sound tests for a new sound system on Friday as well as a 3rd barn contractor walk through.
Stay tuned for more details.
You are the ones that are making this happen through your donations. SBEquineEvac has raised over $530,000 (currently in the dedicated Renovation account). We need your help to
Mountain View arena getting an extreme makeover
Heavy equipment is removing the old Mountain View arena at Earl Warren Showgrounds. Bob's Backhoe will be regrading for drainage and installing installing a new hard base. Great planning work by the Equine Evac Tech Team! Shout out to Penny Wardlaw, Lisa Novatt, Courtney Cochran, Michele Bandinu, Lance Bennett, Ronda Hathaway, Kathy O'Connor Evac President and Karen Christensen, SERF project manager.
Exciting news from SBEquineEvac: Our arena worked started this week!
If you had any questions that this project is a go, this is proof positive that as a community, we can do it!
We went to final bids from 5 out of the 14 international to local contractors we had evaluate or advise on the arenas. We decided to contract out the base construction and top footing as separate jobs to most effectively use our donor’s money and the footing expertise. We selected Bob’s Backhoe and Trucking, a respected local company for the removal of existing footing and construction of the base. Bob’s Backhoe was the lowest cost by discounting their services and bringing in great discounts on materials from other companies. Granite Construction is giving us tremendous discounts on the base material. We will be announcing other companies as their discounts and donations are established. Bob’s Backhoe has stepped up with endless enthusiasm for Earl Warren and continues to bring improvements and new donors to the table. This sets the standard for other companies to come forward and help us revitalize Earl Warren Showgrounds.
The tech team is now evaluating the top two contenders for top footing and some fabulous fencing options, so stay tuned for more updates. We are also evaluating all those fittings and features that improve the show experience such as judges stands, sound system and announcer’s stands, gates and viewing areas.
The barn renovation evaluation has just started with one contractor visit. Stay tuned for more details.
You are the ones that are making this happen through your donations. SBEquineEvac has raised over $400,000 (currently in the dedicated Renovation account). We need your help to reach our phase 1/2 goal of $750,000 to redo the rings and 2-3 barns. We won’t stop there. Once actual barn options, other needs and costs are developed we anticipate our total goal to approach $1,500,000.
Please donate to SBEquineEvac.org.
Donations are payable to Santa Barbara Equine Assistance and Evacuation Team Inc, Memo: “Showgro
