I've been busy lately with a number of aspects of the salle, but unfortunately it isn't something that you can really see. I've got a couple of quotes for the building now.
One is for an attractive steel building from Freedom Steel that is unfortunately out of our price range (by about 100%). I could afford it, but not the foundation to put it on or the labor needed to erect it or the tools needed for the erection.
I've also got a quote from Pioneer Steel which is well within my price range, even with all of the juicy extras. It's also something that I can put up with limited technical knowledge (and sweat equity from my friends). The downside is that it's not terribly attractive. There are some things I could to do make it more so, but I'm not sure what that would do to the price. One example would be replacing the sidewalls with Brick or Cinder block as in the example photo posted in a previous entry on this blog. However, I have no idea how much this would cost or what kind of bracing would be necessary (if any). I was also thinking that perhaps a green roof might be attractive (as well as adding insulation and noise reduction) but i don't know what our city requirements are nor the ability of the steel building to support the weight.
In other news I went into the back yard the other day to think about how the building might look and I realized that there is this hydro line going to the house diagonally across the space I want to put the building. In trying to figure out if I was going to need to move it or not, I discovered that Ottawa Hydro might have an easement on the property. In order to build where they have an easement, I need to submit a request for encroachment. So, first I need to find out if I have one which means a Title search at the registry office. While I can't go, I can probably convince my beloved wife to as long as I don't make any more cracks about Mini Wheats.
Since that's capable of killing my project I've had to think about alternatives. One possibility would be to put in a stone/concrete patio and erect a temporary structure over it. Some possibilities include perhaps a medieval pavilion, a second hand event tent from a party rental place and a yurt style building. The structure would be reasonably easy to construct and there is a place just down the street that makes sails (for all of the boat owners at the Yacht Club) that could probably be convinced to make the shell for me.
On the other hand, in searching for a replacement space for one of my fencing clubs I was directed to an Akido Dojo that is looking for other groups to use it's space. I must admit that I'm considering just running a class there regardless. I'd need 4 students at $10 a class to make it break even. I would wouldn't have the ability to go into the back yard to fence in all weather though. I'd have to finish the basement and even then I'd have to make sure not to do too many high guards. If I do build my salle, I'd have to run this class on the nights I'm letting another group (like the local SCA dance group) use my space.
