When a popular hotel wanted to ring in the holiday season with style, Sunbelt Rentals had the solution.
Every year, a large resort in the Rocky Mountain region puts on an extravagant ice show, complete with a 25-foot ice slide and ice sculptures of scenes from famous childhood holiday specials. For nearly a decade, the resort company has counted on Sunbelt Rentals to provide the perfect temporary structure to house the annual event at properties nationwide.
The Challenge
Ice-sculpture shows demand special attention to detail, and this event is no exception. Hosting the festivities outside allows the client to maximize its on-site property, control the temperature of the ice and take down the structures with ease after the holidays.
To make the event a success every year, the client trusts Sunbelt Rentals to provide a large temporary structure with insulating and climate-controlling properties. The structure has to be big enough to accommodate wide installations and tall enough to cover the 25-foot slide.
The resort is located in an area that frequently experiences heavy snow, so the event requires a solution that can protect both guests and the sculptures from any kind of winter weather. Because of the unique nature of this event and location, complex permitting requirements add to the challenges of this annual event. The client, Sunbelt Rentals and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) have to carefully coordinate to make the project possible.
The Client's Structure Needed:
Durability against heavy snow and wind
Insulated personnel doors
The Solution
Sunbelt Rentals provides a 36-by-45-meter Mahaffey Tension Series (MTS™) structure to stage this special event. Engineered for quick installation in snow country, the MTS™ allows the client to comfortably host the event outside during the coldest months of the year. Sunbelt Rentals included an insulated, raised floor inside the structure, capable of supporting the heavy ice and installation equipment.
To keep the sculptures in pristine condition, the interior temperature has to stay at 9 degrees Fahrenheit. The resort property engages a specialty vendor to ensure the structure has the proper refrigeration equipment, Sunbelt Rentals coordinates with the refrigeration vendor to protect the ice from melting by installing R-29 insulation across the walls and roof. Insulated doors make the structure air-tight against weather and other external conditions.
For an event of this size and scope, Sunbelt Rentals must begin communicating with the client, co-vendors, and permitting authorities up to a year in advance. Though the event doesn’t launch until Thanksgiving, Sunbelt Rentals' crew starts installing the structure in August to give the client plenty of time to transform the space into a winter wonderland.
The Sunbelt Rentals team stays on site for 30 days, coordinating with the client, AHJ and third-party vendors to keep the project on schedule. Previous years have brought heavy windstorms and thunderstorms to the installation site, but Sunbelt Rentals has been able to safely maintain a high level of efficiency, despite the weather.
The Result
Sunbelt Rentals has built a long-standing partnership with the resort-property owner across multiple locations. With the help of the MTS™ structure, the client is able to consistently launch this highly-anticipated event on time and on budget. The resort leaders trust Mahaffey to be able to navigate the complexities of the event efficiently and professionally.
For Project Manager Trip Gintz, one of the best parts about this special solution is how Sunbelt Rentals is able to provide a memorable setting for such a one-of-a-kind celebration. Every year, families flock from far and wide to the Rocky Mountain region to witness the nostalgic scenes, and Sunbelt Rentals' solution allows the event to run for multiple months during the holidays.
The Takeaways
This project partnership showcases the wide range of purposes Sunbelt Rentals' fabric solutions can serve. The extensive amenity options allow businesses to customize their structures for any climate or setting. Sunbelt Rentals' insulation provides a pleasant way for crews to work through the winter — or for families to enjoy a luxurious holiday event.
Sunbelt Rentals' custom solutions, quick turnaround and innovative amenities can keep projects of any size on track. Contact our experts today to discuss how Sunbelt Rentals can drive efficiency to your business.
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