Committee votes to end equestrian park lease

A city committee has done the expected and voted against renewing its lease of the Nepean National Equestrian Park.

The finance and economic development committee voted to end its lease at 401 Corkstown Road, but it said it would set aside $50,000 to "foster continued availability of affordable options for the therapeutic riding program."

City council will vote July 11 on whether to end the lease after 25 years of operating the park on the National Capital Commission-owned land.

The park offers children's riding lessons and summer camps as well as hosting equestrian events and boarding facilities for privately owned horses.

The city said the park is running an annual deficit of $140,000. The loss of the National Capital Show Jumping Competition was alsoa blow to the park.

"It's difficult for staff to say that there really is another show or some shows of this calibre that we could easily attract to the city to replace those revenues," said Dan Chenier, the head of the city's parks department.

City staff said ending the lease agreement will save the city $320,658 in the 2013 budget.

Concern about park's future

People who use the equestrian park say they weren't asked for their ideas for generating more revenue.

"I find it sad that they've made a decision that this facility is not worth the same investment as other recreation facilities," said Jennifer Thomas, who boards her horse at the park and runs a volunteer group there.

Elaine Gagnon, whose son Joey is in the therapeutic riding program, said she is concerned about the park's future.

"Any chance that you give children with special needs opportunities to speak and grow, words can't say what it means to families," said Gagnon.

The Wesley Clover Foundation, a charity connected to the family of Ottawa billionaire Terry Matthews, is in preliminary talks to take over the park as a not-for-profit, charitable venture, CBC News reported last week.

Coun. Mark Taylor also hinted multiple parties could be interested in taking over the lease.