Chris Milam of the Logan County Extension office addressed fiscal court Tuesday saying the extension board had another $144,000 to put towards what is now being called the “ag facility.” This makes $461,500 the project has thus far including the county's pledge of $200,000.
The county agreed to give the $200,000 almost two years ago when Dream Riders founder Sue Sharp came to fiscal court along with Milam to ask for the funding to build the arena.
Dream Riders is a non-profit organization which offers therapeutic recreation for disabled individuals through horse riding. The organization, which has been going strong in Logan County for years and draws individuals from other counties as well; needs an indoor facility to allow for operation year round. Sharp has been collecting outside funding from the personal sector for some time and at one time claimed to have received a Carpenter Foundation grant of $100,000 to put towards the project which was estimated to cost $500,000.
The county’s extension board stepped up and told the organization they would help the cause by donating the land to build the arena right beside the extension office on the bypass and they would take on the responsibility of scheduling events and the day to day maintenance and utility costs in exchange for holding ag shows at the arena as well.
At first the partnership seemed to flourish and fiscal court along with many others bought into the idea. Several meetings were scheduled between Dream Riders and the extension board to iron out the dream; however, it wasn’t long before meetings became debates quickly evident that there were extreme differences of opinion from how to build the arena to when Dream Riders would get to use it.
Dream Riders has now decided not to partner with the extension board and go out on their own to find land to build their arena. According to Dream Riders organizers there is too much political playing going on which they do not want associated with their organization.
The Dream Rider’s camp feel the idea of building has become overshadowed. They feel that the facility was originally so that Dream Riders could have somewhere its participants could utilize the organization year round in a safe and central location. That idea has now turned into something completely different.
Magistrate Dickie Carter said Tuesday he was very much for the county giving the $200,000 when the project included Dream Riders and was now concerned that the two organizations could not get along.
“I really hate that Dream Riders couldn't go in on this. I know you all (extension board and Dream Riders) had some problems getting along. I have doubts now that if you can't get along with Dream Riders who can you get along with," said Carter to Milam.
Milam said he knew what Carter was saying but didn't think it was the extension board's fault. Milam said they have tried to work with Dream Riders organizers to come up with an idea that was beneficial to everyone involved.
“The last meeting we were at with Dream Riders I thought we left with an agreement. The next thing I hear is they are backing out,” said Milam.
Magistrate Thomas Bouldin said he thought there had been a deal agreed upon as well and said it was not the court's fault either that Dream Rider's backed out and didn't think the project should have to stop because one organization “pulled the plug.”
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