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J. Michael Rivera, The Californian
October 13, 2002— A local equestrian
group unveiled plans Sunday for a horse
park at the former Fort Ord, saying it could
help San Francisco win its bid to host the
2012 Summer Olympics -- and even bring some
events to Monterey County.
"We're at the threshold of a perfectly
marvelous opportunity," said Bob Etienne,
a board member for the group, Monterey Horse
Park.
The organization presented its ideas for
a 340-acre equestrian park to a group of
Monterey County mayors, Olympic organizers
and members of the media.
Next month, the U.S. Olympic Committee is
expected to choose either San Francisco
or New York City as America's choice to
play host to the games.
The proposed equestrian center at Fort Ord
is included in a 100-page executive summary
that the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee
-- the agency working to bring the 2012
Summer Games to San Francisco -- will send
today to the U.S. Olympic Committee, said
Anne Cribbs, president and chief executive
officer of the Bay Area group.
"The Monterey Horse Park is a critical
piece of our bid," she said. "The
summary is what the (Olympics committee)
bases their vote on, and this park is truly
an Olympic dream."
The horse board is working with area mayors
and the Fort Ord Reuse Authority organizers
to bring the equestrian park to Fort Ord.
The group wants to build the park regardless
of whether San Francisco gets to host the
Olympics.
The proposed center would be in the former
Parker Flats area in the geographic center
of the former military base, northwest of
the proposed veterans' cemetery.
The horse site also borders a 7,800-acre
Bureau of Land Management area with trails
for horses, hikers and cyclists. The area
will eventually expand to 14,000 acres,
said Michael Houlemard, executive officer
of the reuse authority.
Horse park board members haven't yet said
what the equestrian center would cost, when
construction would begin or who specifically
would finance it. But those details should
come soon, said Bob Enea, Monterey Horse
Park president. "This will be a catalyst
for the horse industry, so we'll be looking
at (industry) sponsorship as well as companies
that sponsor riding events," he said.
"We'll also seek grants for foundations
and donations from private individuals."
The park is planned for three phases of
construction to allow organizers to build
funding support and best serve the equestrian
riding and racing community, he said.
If approved, it would include:
* 15 competition arenas on a 15-arce piece
of land at the north side of the park.
* Several barns with stalls for 12,000 horses.
* A 6,500-meter cross-country course, a
50-foot wide track that winds through a
large forested area of the park that will
be preserved as an oak habitat.
* Large, grassy fields for show jumping
events.
* Parking space for more than 1,000 vehicles.
* Up to 150 recreational vehicle campsites.
* A veterinarian clinic, Society for the
Prevention of Curelty to Animals horse rescue
center and therapeutic and riding facilities
for people with disabilities.
"Whether we get the Olympic bid or
not, we will have a legacy to pass off to
our grandchildren," Cribbs said.
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