Local riding club takes over the reins at the riding center

Now that an agreement is in place with a local equestrian club, the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District must decide how best to renovate the aging Arroyo Simi Equestrian Center.

Under an agreement unanimously approved by the RSRPD board of directors in June, the Greater Los Angeles Paint Horse Club will manage the 8.55-acre facility at 3495 Chicory Leaf Place.

The Simi Valley-based club will handle operations, management, leasing, promotion and maintenance of the facility, which will remain open to the public and other equestrian groups.

In return, the club pays the park district an annual fee of $3,000 plus 20% of fees collected from events at the center during the year.

Local riders can continue to use the facility free of charge for day trips.

The park district, which also has the ability to host events in the park, will continue to be responsible for maintaining restrooms, caring for trees and conducting remedial work.

Built in 1990, the center shows signs of wear and tear. It features an oval arena, a rectangular warm-up arena, restrooms, parking, and the equipment needed for horse training and events.

Last year, RSRPD directors allocated $275,000 for renovations. That allocation was increased to $361,177 during preliminary budget approval in June, with the additional $86,177 coming from a state grant.

Plans for this work still need to be drawn up and finalised and will take approximately four months to complete.

Improvements include drainage maintenance, fence repairs, arena resurfacing, announcer box restoration, bathroom upgrades, bleacher leveling, and ADA accessibility improvements.

Renovations are expected to be completed later this year, after which the centre will reopen and the Paint Horse Club’s 24-month management contract will begin.

The equestrian community has been lobbying the city for some time to push for the modernization of the center to ensure safety during riding and competitions.

Before the pandemic, the facility was a busy hub for training sessions, horse shows and other events, but during COVID-19, business declined and some horse shows were relocated to other locations due to the center’s aging infrastructure.

RSRPD board member Ed Abele expressed concerns about investing nearly $300,000 to upgrade the facility, especially given expected cuts in state funding. While he acknowledged that the agreement reduces the maintenance burden on staff, he pointed to limited financial benefits.

Higher priority projects, such as improvements to lighting and safety at sports fields, would be delayed for the equestrian center and should be given priority, Abele said.

Dan Paranick, general manager of the park district, said the projects could be done simultaneously, but “if push came to shove, we would make sure the lighting moved faster than the equestrian.”

Paranick said discussions are underway with the equestrian club about reducing improvement costs. After the budget is passed, staff will work with the club and other equestrian groups to finalize the design of the center.

Board member Kate O’Brien acknowledged Abele’s concerns, but emphasized the value of the volunteer work available today.

“If it’s there, grab it,” she said.

Board member Josh Gray said partnerships with community organizations could benefit the community and the park district.

“I appreciate all the work that has gone into this agreement and look forward to how we can develop it further over the next five to 10 years,” he said.

Board member Brian Dennert supported the agreement because he wanted the public facility to be actively used for events.

Elaine Freeman, board chair, thanked the park staff and riding club members for their efforts in completing the agreement.

She emphasized the value of the center to the community.

“I’m really pleased and think that the investment we’re making in the budget is well worth it per capita for this part of our community that has been here for a long time,” she said.