you can actually leave the battery box in place if you want.
I paid 50 bucks for mine and it was worth it. It dresses up the engine bay and provides enough rigidity for me.
I sent you a PM about the mini-meet. If you can't make it, it is ok. It's pretty short notice. We are going to try and have another minimeet in July. I think we are going to try and work on a date at the mini this sunday.