The Wild Animal Sanctuary Creates ClearSpan Lion Habitat

When the Bolivian government put a ban on the use of live animals in the country’s traveling circuses, it was a step towards victory for the animals and those who love them.  However, these animals still needed homes and places to be rehabilitated after their mistreatment.  Thanks to the Wild Animal Sanctuary, 25 rescued lions have a place to retire.  Located on 320 acres in Keenesburg, CO, the Wild Animal Sanctuary is the oldest and largest nonprofit sanctuary dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating large carnivores. It is home to lions, tigers, bears, leopards, foxes and more.  Earlier this week Hercules, Panchula, Kimba, and 22 of their friends moved into the sanctuary.  (You can adopt one of these rescued animals HERE.)

This effort wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of Sanctuary Director Pat Craig. He worked with ClearSpan to create a habitat for the lions to help them transition from the warm Bolivian climate to the cold Colorado winters. A 15,000 sq. ft. ClearSpan Hercules Truss Arch Building was fast tracked for the project, taking only 8 weeks from design to installation. The building features fencing around the sides to keep the lions contained (because ClearSpan buildings aren’t lion proof!) and a protected catwalk for visitors to view the animals.

For more information on this great cause, check out the following articles:

Wall Street Journal -

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704329104576138293936078596.html#articleTabs=article

Good Morning America -

http://abcnews.go.com/US/rescued-bolivian-circus-lions-arrive-colorado-wildlife-sanctuary/story?id=12929736

Colorado 9 News -
http://www.9news.com/news/local/article/181955/346/Bolivian-lions-getting-comfortable-in-new-home-?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Ct

To learn how a ClearSpan Fabric Structure can meet your unique building needs visit http://www.clearspan.com/.

Steel Prices to Increase in 2011: ClearSpan Responds



 

Matt Niaura, VP of Sales & Marketing
 ClearSpan Fabric Structures



It’s all over the news—steel prices are on the rise again. What does that mean for you, if you’re considering investing in a ClearSpan Fabric Structure? Vice President of Sales & Marketing Matt Niaura weighs in on how these rising costs will affect business.



What do you predict will happen to steel prices in 2011?

MN: It’s always difficult to speculate on steel prices.  It is not just steel prices that are trending upwards, but most commodities.

Why are steel prices rising?



MN: Now that the economy is improving, there is an increase in demand, which results in a natural increase in cost. Pair this with current events, such as the disastrous flooding in Australia, where the steel industry gets a significant amount of coking coal, and conditions are ripe for escalating prices.  



How will this affect consumers?

MN: Consumers can expect to see increases in most products manufactured from steel.  There could be multiple increases throughout the year on many products.

How is ClearSpan planning to help its customers?

MN: Since we have a large inventory of steel on hand, we will hold prices for customers that order their building in the near future. Order now and we can delay shipping and construction to fit with your schedule. 



5 for 5, ClearSpan structures meet these NRCS guidelines

UConn Compost Facility

On January 24 to 27, 2011, we’ll be at the US Composting Council’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, showcasing how our ClearSpan Fabric Structures make ideal composting facilities. You don’t have to take our word for it alone—Laurelbrook Farm, an 800-head dairy operation in East Canaan, CT, and University of Connecticut are just a couple of customers who have already chosen ClearSpan to cover their composting operations. 

By working with ClearSpan, the facilities at Laurelbrook Farm and UConn are able to readily comply with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) guidelines to ensure that composting operations are environmentally safe, efficient and economical.  These guidelines state that:

·         Compost facilities should be located on soil with slow to moderate permeability and should also be located so that minimal seepage occurs.

ClearSpan structures have minimal foundation requirements, meaning that they can be built on almost any surface.

·         Compost storage must protect composted material from precipitation and prevent and/or divert runoff.

Fabric covers of our buildings keep rain and snow off of compost, eliminating runoff. End panels can be added, if needed.

Laurelbrook Farm CompostFacility

·         Moisture levels and temperature must be controlled to avoid odors and attracting flies.

Abundant natural light permeates through the polyethylene fabric of ClearSpan covers, controlling moisture and creating temperature stability.  Covers also contain odor.

• Cost versus benefits should be examined prior to choosing to install a composting structure.

ClearSpan buildings are economical, with a low cost per square foot, and low construction and maintenance costs.

• Facility must be sized appropriately for compost type and storage period.

ClearSpan structures are available in widths up to 300’, at any length and can be customized for any type facility. No internal support posts mean that equipment such as windrow turners and dump trucks can maneuver freely.

Five for five, ClearSpan structures meet these NRCS guidelines for composting facilities. Visit Joe Teixeira at booth #28 at the USCC show to learn more.

To learn more about how a ClearSpan Fabric Structure can improve your composting facility visit our website http://bit.ly/eJIC7H .

If you’d like to learn more about the NRCS guidelines visit http://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/AL/tg317.pdf .



Your New Year’s Resolution: Go Green with ClearSpan

Working out, quitting a vice and saving money are all common New Year’s resolutions.  Why not resolve to help the environment this year?  You can with ClearSpan.  If you’re looking for a new structure for your business or municipality, make it your resolution to go green with ClearSpan.

ClearSpan Fabric Structures are used in many green applications, such as recycling, composting, wastewater decontamination and waste material storage. This is because ClearSpan structures are a perfect fit for environmentally friendly uses. For example, keeping compost or other waste materials stored in a ClearSpan building prevents runoff and protects groundwater from contamination.

Not only are ClearSpan structures ideal for these green applications, but they are also environmentally friendly themselves. Here’s why:

• Frames are manufactured from 100% recycled, American-made steel.
• Both our covers and frames can be recycled if the building is no longer in use.
• Energy-saving features:
• Bright, white fabric cover lets in natural light, eliminating the need for daytime artificial lighting. The amount of lights needed at night is also reduced.
• Temperature stabilizing cover keeps buildings 15 to 20 degrees warmer in the winter and 15 to 20 degrees cooler in the summer, minimizing the need for heating and cooling systems. 

• Our fabric structures have fewer pests and are self cleaning, eliminating the need for harmful pest control chemicals and cleaning agents.
• Buildings are easy to relocate and reuse.  This reduces environmental impact by eliminating waste from demolition and need for new materials.

               

To learn how  a ClearSpan Fabric Structure can help improve your green business visit  our website.

Top Five Reasons Why Public Works Departments Love ClearSpan Fabric Structures

Public works departments throughout the east coast kicked into high gear this past weekend as winter storm Adrianne moved across the region, blanketing the area with snowfall amounts of up to a foot or more. With the help of a ClearSpan salt storage building, many of these departments were able to efficiently treat the roads to ensure safe travel conditions after the storm.

Here are the top five reasons why ClearSpan salt structures help improve the operations of public works departments:


1. Quicker deployment times compared to maneuvering equipment in a small salt shed.

The ample height and clearance of a ClearSpan building allows equipment and vehicles to move freely in and out of the structure.

2. Safety concerns about roof collapses are minimized.

Every Hercules Truss Arch Building is custom engineered to meet local snow-load requirements.

3. Time is saved by not having to handle large, bulky tarps.

Our fabric structures’ durable covers are securely attached to steel trusses, which are engineered and manufactured to local wind-load requirements.

4. Despite the bitter cold, sand and salt remains easy to work with.

Temperature-stabilizing covers keep interior temperatures 15° to 20° warmer than outside and abundant natural light reduces moisture build up, eliminating frozen or caked sand and salt.

5. Extra money means departments can allocate funds elsewhere, such as improvement projects and employee pay.

ClearSpan Fabric Structures are low in cost per square foot, minimize material loss, and prevent environmental fines due to runoff.

ClearSpan vs. Metrodome: Where the similarities end

You couldn’t have missed the footage from the collapse of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome last weekend after a storm dumped more than 17 inches of snow on Minneapolis.  Did you know that this is the fourth time the Metrodome, an air-supported structure, has collapsed due to heavy snow and ice?

 

Air-supported structure in the snow.

While ClearSpan Fabric Structures and air-supported structures share the unique design of no internal support posts, this is where the similarities end. Air-supported, or inflated, structures are supported only by air. For structural integrity, the internal pressure of these structures must be constantly monitored so that it remains equal to or exceeds external pressure. During extreme weather conditions, if the correct pressure isn’t achieved, the building can fail.

ClearSpan Fabric Structure in the snow.

Unlike air-supported structures, fabric structures are supported by steel trusses. Every ClearSpan Fabric Structure is custom engineered to local building requirements, such as wind and snow loads. The design of fabric structures also allows snow to slide off the roof.

To learn more about the advantages of ClearSpan Fabric Structures visit www.ClearSpan.com.

Free passes to the Precast Show 2011

Visit the biggest event in the precast industry, on us!

January 27-29, 2011 – Charlotte Convention Center – Charlotte, N.C.

Sponsored by the National Precast Concrete Association, this trade show features equipment, products and services for the precast concrete industry. Get the opportunity to attend educational seminars, product clinics and more, while networking with industry leaders.

If you’d like a complimentary pass, send the following information to adufault@clearspan.com:

                First Name:

                Last Name:        

                Name on Badge:

                Company:

                Address:

                City:

                State:

                Zip:        

                Phone:

                Fax (if available):

                Email Address:

Ten passes are available on a first come, first served basis.  Limit two per person.

is a proud member of the

NATIONAL PRECAST CONCRETE ASSOCIATION is a trademark of National Precast Concrete Association and is used with permission.  Use of the NPCA trademark does not evidence an endorsement of any product by the National Precast Concrete Association.