Arena Building: Cheap Materials

[Andy Baker]

A field was built in Kokomo also. After kickoff, I got the bill for the materials, and it was around $2,200.

The framework was built from 2"x6" boards. The top platform is made of HDPE. I strongly recommend that each team get a sample of HDPE plastic, since some types of rubber are slick on it and other types of rubber are not.

The sides of the field are supposed to be polycarbonate (1/2" thick). This material is not as important... it is just meant to be rigid and see thru. This polycarbonate costs about $1,200, so substituting it would save a good deal of money.

The wire mesh is also something that teams need to practice on. Sure, we all got a sample in the kit, but teams should buy large sections of this in order to test out driving on the stuff... this stuff is kinda slick also.

I suggest that teams build the entire ramp as specified, with a wooden frame, but without see-thru sides... then if you want to put a small piece of polycarbonate on the inside wall of the upper platform, then that would be a realistic ramp to practice on. This type of ramp would probably cost around $1-1,200.

Andy B.