The Prince George Horse Society will be seeking city council approval tonight for an ambitious plan to expand the horse and rodeo facilities at Exhibition Park.
The plan calls for the creation of an indoor horse arena with seating for 2,000, a covered outdoor arena with seating for 1,000, new barn, additional paddocks, expanded warm-up space, cross-country trail, workshop, office space, rebuilt hay stalls, RV parking, horse care facility and portable stalls structure.
"We're seeking the city's ongoing support and partnership," society project manager Joan Chess-Woollacott said. "For the major projects we're going to have to apply for funding grants. And we'll do fundraising and seek private sponsors as well."
The plan, created by planning and landscape architect Catherine Berris, is a long-term vision designed to complement the city's 2005 Exhibition Park master plan, she said. Berris was instrumental in the creation of the master plan for the park.
Currently the society leases the Agriplex, barns, paddocks and outdoor horse arena at Exhibition Park from the city. The society is able to operate the facilities with a small surplus, Chess-Woollacott said.
"Part of this feasibility study was a business case. We have more than enough to support an [additional] indoor arena," she said. "That's just with our own groups. There are big trade shows... we've never been able to do stuff like that. There just isn't enough room."
The plan would increase the full-time and temporary accommodation for horses at the park.
"There is space now for 60 horses year-round, and we would add 12 [more]," Chess-Woollacott said.
Prince George Horse Society president Barb Warkentine said the society, and other user groups, have been limited by the current facilities.
The indoor Agriplex has bleacher seating for 400 to 500 people and the outdoor arena has no seating.
"We've had people coming and wanting to rent, and we don't have the time - or the arena isn't big enough," Warkentine said.
Warkentine runs a therapeutic riding program for youth with disabilities. She said they aren't able to operate in the winter because the Agriplex is booked up with other events.
"We have turned groups away. The archers have wanted to come and do their thing here, but we didn't have the time or space to store their stuff," she said. "The dog agility folks have wanted to do more as well."
The facilities would create additional opportunities for recreational users, hosting events and attracting spectators, she said.
"People drive from all over B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan to come to these things," she said. "If people come to the shows and have a good time, they'll come back."
A cost estimate for the proposed projects wasn't available as of press time. Warkentine said society hopes to receive the city's approval for the plan, and partner to develop a implementation strategy.
The Prince George Horse Society will present their plan to city council at council's regular meeting at 7 p.m. tonight.
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