Norris Rd. Arena

The Norris Rd. Arena is one of the largest post-frame buildings in H&H’s portfolio. At 80 feet wide, 104 feet long, and 14 feet tall at the eave, this structure pushes wood-truss post-frame construction to its engineering limits. 80 feet is the maximum clear span achievable with wood trusses.

The owner needed an indoor facility for a dog training business, which made clear-span interior space and abundant natural light non-negotiable. H&H designed and built a structure that provides over 8,300 square feet of unobstructed floor area, with clear polycarbonate light panels along both eaves for consistent daylighting.

Building 80 feet wide with wood trusses is not a standard request. It’s the maximum span that wood-truss engineering can achieve, and it requires significant additional structural reinforcement to make it work safely.

What 80-Ft Trusses Demand

At this width, every truss carries substantially more load than a standard 40- or 60-ft span. The trusses themselves require significantly more lumber for structural integrity, and the process of setting them is a challenge in its own right. Each 80-ft truss must be lifted into position, held plumb, and braced while the next one is set. A process that takes considerably more time, equipment, and crew coordination than a conventional build.

Keeping trusses straight during installation at this span is one of the most technically demanding aspects of wide-span post-frame construction. Any deviation during setting can cascade through the structure, so precision matters at every step.

Natural Light for a Working Facility

Clear light polycarbonate panels along both eave walls flood the arena with natural daylight. For a training facility that operates during daytime hours, this dramatically reduces dependence on artificial lighting and creates a better working environment for both the trainer and the animals.

Most buildings this size in the Helena area are built for horse riding arenas. The arena was built for a dog training business, a reminder that post-frame construction is versatile enough to serve virtually any indoor use case requiring clear-span space, not just equestrian applications.

The clear-span interior, abundant natural light, and generous ceiling height make this building equally well-suited for training, events, storage, or any application where unobstructed floor area is the priority.

This project is a testament to what’s possible with post-frame construction when the builder has the expertise to push the method to its engineering ceiling. Not every post-frame builder will take on an 80-ft span; the truss engineering, the installation logistics, and the structural detailing all require experience that only comes from building at this scale.

The Norris Rd. Arena remains one of H&H team’s signature projects and a proof point for the company’s ability to handle complex, large-scale post-frame construction.