Campo equestrian
center study approved by BOS
By Joe
Naiman
The Alpine Sun
CAMPO — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0
Sept. 25 to authorize a feasibility study for an equestrian
facility in Campo.
The county's Chief Administrative Officer was directed
to work with the Campo-Lake Morena Business Association to
explore the feasibility of locating an equestrian facility on
county-owned land near the Campo juvenile ranch facility. The
CAO, who will also work with the county's Probation Department
to ensure that the facility will not interfere with the juvenile
ranch operations, will report back to the Board of Supervisors
with a recommendation.
"Although the proposal will kick-start the
negotiations, there is a significant amount of planning and due
diligence that would need to be completed," said Supervisor
Dianne Jacob. "I think this is a good idea to explore the
feasibility."
The Campo-Lake Morena Business Association is hoping to
secure approximately 35 acres in an undeveloped area southeast
of the juvenile ranch facility. The equestrian facility would
include a show ring, a warm-up area, a round pen, horse stalls,
an office/maintenance building, restroom facilities, and a
parking lot.
"It's more than just a project. It's a way of life.
It's a commitment to our heritage," said Cliff Northcote, who
represented the Campo-Lake Morena Business Association.
The equestrian facility would be used for the annual
round-up, horse shows, rodeo events, team roping and penning,
and 4-H and Future Farmers of America activities. "We feel this
is a very viable and appropriate fit, and we're willing as an
organization to take the first lead in making this a reality,"
Northcote said. "It can be a great asset."
Michael Thometz of Campo isn't necessarily opposed to
the facility but hopes that more information will be provided to
the community. "This should not be a secretive thing," he said.
"You need to get the whole community involved."
Thometz noted that the project had not been brought
before the local community planning group. "The problem I have
with this is the lack of communication," he said. "We want
everybody to be included."
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