Equestrian Center to Open

WAITSBURG - As of July 1, 25 of the empty horse stalls at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds will welcome equine tenants -- the first step in what is to become the Blue Mountain Equestrian Center.

At Waitsburg's City Council meeting Wednesday night, council members vot- ed unanimously to enter into an agreement that transfers management of the horse facilities at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds to a 501c.3 or- ganization that will oversee the creation and develop- ment of the Blue Mountain Equestrian Center.

The proposal, presented by council member KC Kuykendall, is seen as a vi- able alternative to the "ongo- ing headache and resource drain" the facilities currently present to the city. Lack of ability to turn a profit and a shortage of manpower currently result in the horse stalls being shut down while the assets depreciate.

The goal of the Equestrian Center is to generate reve- nue that will, over the course of five years, fund nearly $40,000 in improvements to the horse facilities. While facility maintenance and management is relinquished by the City and assumed by the Equestrian Center board, the City of Waitsburg will retain ownership and con- trolling interested in all of the appreciated assets.

Four individuals, three of them City Council mem- bers, have agreed to serve on the board of The Blue Mountain Equestrian Center: KC Kuykendall, Busi- ness Management and Over- sight; Kevin House, Facility Management; Sandra Far- ley, Events Management & Scheduling; and Deborah Callahan, Communications and Outreach. Two more members will be solicited -- one as a school liaison and another as human resources and finance administrator.

Kuykendall requested a five-year commitment from the city as the project will be "front loaded with effort, and cash intensive." Board- ing fees for 30 to 50 horses are necessary for the plan to meet projections, but Kuyk- endall says he has 25 stalls ready to rent on July 1.

When asked by council member Marty Dunn if the stalls would be habitable by the then, Kuykendall replied, "These folks are highly motivated and will- ing to do what it will take to get them ready." Over time, as improvements are made, the facility will be used to host events as an additional source of revenue.

Kuykendall stated that the Center hopes to meet the needs of the community and not just horse owners. As an educational site, the facility could be used for the school's agricultural science, math and science programs. It could also serve as a means of business management training, skills development, and even pro- vide entrepreneurial opportunities. The Equestrian Center board will specifi- cally seek a board member affiliated with the school in order to best facilitate these types of partnerships. Clubs like 4-H, FFA, roping and penning teams and barrel racers will have the oppor- tunity to utilize the facilities as well.

The five-year cost-ben- efit summary, as submitted by Kuykendall, is based on boarding 30 horses in 2013, 40 horses in 2014 and 50 horses in years 2015 through 2018. One event (raising $250 in revenue) is proposed in 2013, two in 2014, four in 2015, five in years 2016 and 2017 and eight events in 2018.

As proposed, the plan provides for renovation of ten to twelve stalls each year, with additional im- provements starting in 2014. The $40,000 in improve- ments planned for years one through five include the addition of a round pen, a 150' X 240' roping arena, a wash station, lighting and electrical upgrades, speaker upgrades, foaling stalls and turnouts, and a tack room as well as the stall renovations. The plan also includes allowance for one or two part- time employment positions.

The response of council meeting attendees was large- ly positive, with Delores Nettles commenting on the need to draw more people to the area and Karen Gregutt asking about volunteerism, corporate sponsorship op- tions and commenting on the possibility of the Garden Club accepting some of the manure that will need to be hauled out. Jim Burres did express concern at the lack of local eateries, saying that facility users won't want to drive ten to 15 minutes just to get something to eat.

Council member Marty Dunn asked if the Days of Real Sport Committee, who originally bought the horse stalls, had been contacted about the proposal. Kuyken- dall acknowledged that he'd had no formal conversations with them yet; preferring to make sure the City was on board before he did so. "I'm hopeful we can work some- thing out," he said.

It was decided that the City would document the agreement with a memo of understanding and that the Blue Mountain Equestrian Center board could move forward and"get the ball rolling."