Draping Fabric in Gym for Party?

Question

I went to a party once in my college's basketball stadium. Inside it was as if a frame tent had been pitched on the basketball floor-- you would have no idea you were in an arena at all!

Do you think they really put up a rental tent in there, or could it have just been creatively draped fabric?

I'd like to recreate this effect in a large church gym in my tiny hometown, since we have very few banquet halls and not enough outdoor space at the church for a tent.

Thanks.

Answer 1

A tent could be hung in the gymnasium depending on the design of the structure.  Most of the time the engineers consider temporary loading as part of the overall design.  It would probably be more expensive than setting up a tent outside because it would need to be tied off to the roof framing and a man-lift would be needed, but it's definitely a possibility.  

You need to talk to your church's maintenance people and a tent rental company to determine the feasibility of it.  If it's never been done before, then someone may need to simply ask the engineer who designed the structure if it's possible.

Best wishes!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

It's fairly easy to do... but not cheap.  You attach one piece of rope at one end toward the ceiling... then the other.  At the outer edge of either side of the room you attach another about a foot lower than the center rope, making sure that all the ropes are as tight as you can possibly get them.  Then start draping.  Depending on the size of the room.. even if you were to get the fabric at a discount store for even only $1.00/ yard you are looking at roughly $200.00 worth of fabric for a 20 x 40 room.

We looked into doing this for a party but it was way too expensive.

Answer 3

a tent will be waaaaay cheaper than getting enough fabric.