Horses in the 100 Mile District are looking for an indoor gallop.
Michael Kidston, president of the 100 Mile and District Outriders Club has reached out to the South Cariboo Joint Committee in hopes to upgrade and expand their facilities.
“Do I think it’s a fairly long shot? Yes, but we have talked to them over the years about this proposal,” said Kidston.
The club has felt they have been ignored by the Joint Committee and council after the South Cariboo Recreational Centre arena’s construction displaced several of the Outriders facilities.
“In the 60’s and 70’s we had permanent stables and a race track,” said Kidston, who has plans showing a race track being rebuilt along with the new arena. “Somehow those all slipped behind between planning and actually breaking ground and it seems like we were losing and not gaining.”
Now with the proposed estimated $14.5 million expansion of the recreation centre, which would see an indoor soccer pitch and basketball court, the Outriders could find themselves on the back burner once again.
Kidston said the proposed expansion of the rec centre doesn’t hurt the Outriders chances on their own, seeing it as an opportunity for the committee to revisit the possibility of adding a new indoor facility.
Hoping to continue shows, clinics and other events in the winter, the club favours a 100’ by 250’ arena with metal walls and roof, which would be less prone to damage and a longer life. Kidson provided a quote in his letter to the district (who forwarded it to the committee) for $625,000 not including taxes to install the metal roof and walls.
Two other quotes were also provided for 100’ by 240’ fabric roof metal walls ($915, 000) and a 90’ by 250’ fabric roof ($490, 000).
The all-metal facility would, according to Kidston’s letter, provide better lighting and provide a cooler atmosphere during the summer but not much colder during the winter, allowing for use during the winter months except when the temperature is below -15 C.