The Point needs a new structure
Nest Community Circle
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Helps us decide and source a new structure for our beloved community venue at Nest: The Point.
The situation:
The current structure that has been used for The Point for the last few years has holes, is not waterproof anymore and is generally very run down. Last year, we struggled a lot to keep the space dry and usable for the activities during the rainy days (which were a lot during the event). Potentially, the structure is even more moldy after being stored with other damp things in the container after Nest '24.
The current structure:
It is owned by Nest and its measures are 12m x 12m. It looks like a circus tent.
The discussion:
The current structure has served us well, but as we have grown over the last few years, we are looking for something that serves our current needs and can evolve with us. We have been talking about having something that is large (so it can host big events like the Cabaret and the Ceilidh that we had last year), but also flexible, ideally something that can be split into smaller rooms for the activities that require less space and more cosiness. We think something more versatile would fit our needs better, but we would like to hear from the community:
What kind of structure for The Point do you think would serve the Community best?
We are also looking for help to source it for Nest'25. Before we buy a different structure, we ideally want to try out different things so we can better understand what works for us.
Do you have experience or a relationship with a marquee hire company? Or perhaps have suggestions on where we can look? Or do you know of anyone who has a structure we could use this year (we're open to sharing, renting or other sorts of collaborative deals)?
Any leads or connections you can share would be deeply appreciated!
Who's facilitating the discussion?
Tish - The Point's Co-lead
Kieran Wed 15 Jan 2025 5:52PM
Hi Tish.
I would advise against purchasing a new marquee.
Simply because a newer larger Marque would only be stored away wet again and then that new marquee would quickly deteriorate into the same condition as the current marquee.
Plus, purchasing requires a big outlay for an item that is only used once a year.
I recommend renting a marquee, perhaps on an agreement over 5 years to secure the most favourable price (for example).
When renting, the marquee could possibly be changed for a different model each year according to needs.
Happy to assist pursuing the rental option.
Regards
Kieran.
KLR out and about
Nest Community Circle Fri 17 Jan 2025 6:41PM
Thanks for the Dome suggestion @Ash . That would be beautiful! I was having a chat with Jake (from DPW) and he mentioned that this might be something to look into next year, as it seems to involve a lot of work and it would be nice to build up the expertise and tools as we go, as you mentioned yourself. We'll keep this mind though, great ideia!
Nest Community Circle Fri 17 Jan 2025 6:46PM
Hey @Kieran. Yeah, it's very unlikely that we will purchase something, at least for now. I share your opinion on the points you listed. That's why DPW also wants to try out different ideas for this year, potentially for the next couple of year too.
I like your idea of trying to negotiate on a longer lease. Something we hadn't thought of yet.
Jake, from DPW, is the person leading the research on rentals. He could use some help. I'm happy to connect you two. Are you on Signal? Or what is your preferred way of communicating?
Nest Community Circle Fri 17 Jan 2025 6:46PM
Thanks for your inputs so far. They're very helpful! ✨
Tara Sat 18 Jan 2025 1:50PM
Already mentioned a stretch tent elsewhere but mentioning here for the record.
+Very flexible configuration
+Copes with uneven ground
+Packs down neatly, especially with aluminium poles
-Requires reasonable knowledge to set up (to ensure tension in right place)
-Needs to be looked after (ie, put away dry, avoid water pooling on material when up)
-Can be pricey but you can get second hande
-Large ones can be heavy to get into place (eg 12mx15m = 250kg)
Candy Cox Sat 18 Jan 2025 2:01PM
Possibly unpopular, but is it used enough to be worth it? How much did it cost? I have consistently thought 'What's the point?' whenever I have walked past it and never used it, which makes me a bad person to comment since I'm clearly not part of the user base
I have never though any of the nest 'stages', especially the ones that were a total shambles, were worth it, and limited budget needs triage
Without saying I'm voting for it, I'm floating the idea of just not replacing it at all and asking whether it is useful enough in it's current or any other (eg. With internal rooms) structure furniture us to bother.
Besides a spot for the cabaret, who cares? (But like, genuinely, please speak up, many, perhaps even most people will care - personally I just don't see the point, and never really have)
TLDr I see us asking if a different structure could better fit our needs...
What are our needs?
Do we have a need for a big structure?
Do we have a need for a DPW structure (is the point used enough? Will it be used more if redesigned if not? How?)
Do we have a use for a DPW structure if it isn't big?
How much budget are we vaguely talking and what else could we do with it?
How much money did we spend on the structure we might be binning, and when?
[I'd potentially support more small rain shelter structures with playatech to sit on to improve mobility accessibility around the hilly site]
Tom Allen Sat 18 Jan 2025 4:46PM
A number of thoughts
The existing structure can be cleaned and re-waterproofed.
One supplier I know has similar ones for 30 years and has refurbished them many times (including re-dying them). It's a job I recommend getting someone else to do as you need the time and equipment. He may be keen to take that work. Tag me in a comment if you want me to DM his phone number. Or contact Carters tents, they atleast did this when I last visited but they have moved and restructured so not sure if they still do. https://www.johnmcarterltd.co.uk/
Repairers are listed on curlew too
The existing structure can be sold.
Someone else will refurb it and put to use. Suggest to list on http://www.curlew.co.uk as accepting offers
Buy second hand
Http://www.curlew.co.uk - the primary site in the industry for structures
https://curlew.co.uk/listing/89058/secondhand-rhi-stretch-tents-available
Buy new
Also on curlew or something like this for more budget options. This is what I own personally and used ten times last year:
https://www.diymarquees.co.uk/6x12m-classic-diy-marquee.php
If you buy two they include a gutter kit so they can be connected together, internal walls could then easily be added or removed for one large or smaller spaces. Lacks height to have a elevated stage visible to the entire space if using two side by side but is tall enough for a stage in one.
Debate on if it's needed
Personally it's not what I look for in a burn, but I support it's existence as I see it's value to many others.
Debate on if it's the right type
I think it is right. the only issues I've felt with it in the past is not enough white lighting making it not inviting. Brightening it up will make a huge difference.
Thick canvas has advantage of being cool in hot sun, blocking quite a bit of sound and feeling more secure in a storm compared to thinner white ones.
Erecting it isn't that easy compared to frame tents, but I think the shape is worth the effort. the stakes could be replaced with screws that drive in and out with a power tool rather than a hammer to reduce the labour time. Tag me if you want me to link to appropriate products.
xavier dubruille Mon 20 Jan 2025 8:47AM
I was the one pushing a bit for the stretch tent + extension for stage and such.
After I like the dome idea in combination to a moderately sized stretch tent for the bigger event.
Else to answer the use of the point, when the tent was less smelly and more fresh, it was quite successfully used on the first year.
And if we refresh the structure, I have no doubt that it can be more advertised for a lot of campless workshop .... And there is the cabaret of course.
Ash · Mon 13 Jan 2025 6:13PM
How about domes? They scale well, provide excellent interior space and headroom with no internal supports, pack down small, and they're relatively easy to fabricate, given the right tools. They also look a bit nicer than a typical event marquee. A combination of a larger diameter main dome surrounded by several smaller ones would provide tons of space (and some degree of noise-separation between spaces, which you're never going to get from a single marquee structure with dividers) - trying to run two or three different workshops within earshot of each other is never going to be ideal.
The structure could also be significantly more load-bearing than a marquee or tent, permitting use of a thicker, more insulating materials in the covering, and providing easy rigging for equipment above head height without needing free-standing trusses etc. (keeping lighting and electrics off ground level is safer and avoids issues if the ground floods).
After you have acquired the tools and developed expertise 'in house' (there's definitely more than one person in the Nest community that knows how to build domes) this could also be a resource used by theme camps to create the structures they need as well. This also avoids having to depend on an external supplier for spares and repairs on a marquee structure, especially if a common design is used for multiple structures enabling a common pool of parts.