Chris Milam, Agriculture/Natural Resources Agent for Logan County, addressed Fiscal Court Tuesday asking for its blessing to move on with plans to build the arena that will cost $935,000.
The court had previously approved $200,000 towards the project last year when it was being pitched by the Dream Riders Organization – a non-profit who offers therapeutic horse riding for handicapped children and adults.
The extension board had collaborated with the Dream Riders in the beginning, offering to donate the land and handle all scheduling, utilities and maintenance in exchange for being able to use the building for ag shows. However, problems in communication between the two entities cause Dream Riders to pull out of its partnership with the board citing lack of representation.
The Dream Riders organization felt the extension board was not considering them with the scheduling and also believed the project was getting to political.
The extension board still wants to continue on with the idea saying it would be very beneficial to Logan County. The now proposed “Ag Arena” will offer steer shows as well as an array of different events for the community.
Milam told the court Tuesday that it was unfortunate that Dream Riders did not want to be a part of the project and that he felt it really came down to one word in the verbiage of the scheduling.
“The schedule said Dream Riders could use the facility on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays,” said Milam adding that Dream Riders wanted both days. Milam said the board wanted the flexibility in case a large money making event came to the arena and they needed one or both of those days.
Milam handed out a drawing of the proposed arena and said it would seat approximately 600 people. Magistrate Dickie Carter didn’t believe the project was big enough.
“I would like to see it hold more people,” said Carter who was also concerned about Dream Riders not being including in the project.
“I hate to see Dream Riders and you all not going in this together because of differences,” continued Carter.
Milam handed out minutes from a meeting between the two and stated they would have loved to have worked with Dream Riders but haven’t heard from them in a long time and found out they had pulled out from an Internet website.
Magistrate Jo Orange said she had minutes as well from meetings between the extension board and Dream Riders that showed one meeting the extension board saying they could have certain days to use the arena and the next meeting the board rescinding that offer.
“I don’t blame them for getting upset,” said Orange, “especially if you tell them one thing and then change it the next meeting. What were they to think?”
Milan said the Dream Riders could still get in on the project if they wanted to. He said he knew they had $100,000 to put towards the project and the extension board would gladly work something out.
Milam said it was the boards plans to have Johnny Cates build the arena on his property (3 acres) and then the board would buy it from Cates lock and key. Magistrate Carter was worried about escaping the state’s prevailing wage by doing it that way.
Milam guaranteed Carter the project would be completed legally and that he was working with county attorney Tom Noe to ensure that it was.
Carter was also worried about paying for the arena. He asked Milam who would pay for it if the extension board could not.
Milam said if the county put in the $200,000 it had promised last year they would only have to borrow $500,000 and told Carter the board could pay that back. Carter noted the extension service was a taxing district and asked it they were planning on raising taxes to pay for it. Milam said, “no.”
Extension Board member Lonnie Epley told Carter he was nitpicking the project because he didn’t want Cates to build it. Carter denied Epley’s allegation saying he thought the arena was a good idea if it were bigger.
Milam told the court if they wanted it bigger he was sure they could accommodate that if the court was willing to put in more money.
Magistrate Thomas Bouldin said the court did not put the $200,000 in the 2010-2011 budget, which begins July 1, but said he thought the court needed to revisit the issue and perhaps give more money toward the project, which he believes, will draw economic dollars for the county.
The project will be discussed at the court’s budget meetings.
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