The future of the beloved Lakewood Equestrian Centre is in the hands of city council members, who will decide whether to keep the facility open or replace it with a sports complex complete with pickleball courts and a skate park.
Dozens of local residents attended Tuesday’s meeting and voiced their support for keeping the center open and running as it is. The public comment portion of the meeting lasted almost two hours, with some people even bringing their animals to prove their point.
Rich Lockridge, who brought his burro named Burrito to the meeting, says he depends on the riding school to house Burrito and three horses.
“He could end up homeless if nothing happens tonight,” Lockridge said.
Open for more than eighty years, the center offers riding lessons and a petting zoo to the public, and is home to more than 100 horses, including Two, who belongs to Jenny Meeker.
“When I found him a home that is close to my home in this urban area, because of the care he received and the love he received, I never had to worry about him,” Meeker said.
In addition to stabling horses, the riding school is also home to six different women-owned businesses.
“It would not only close these businesses, but undermine female entrepreneurship in our city,” said one woman speaking during public comment.
Still, a report from city officials claims Lakewood will lose more than $100,000 on the riding center this year, which is a big part of why the center’s future is up in the air. Additionally, the report claims that most of the people boarding their horses downtown are not actually from Lakewood.
A newly proposed sports complex, filled with pickeball courts, a community center and a skate park, could soon replace the Lakewood staple.
If the council decides to close the centre, people will have until November 30 to relocate their animals.
