The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - The horse facilities at the Waits- burg fairgrounds are expe- riencing new life, thanks to revitalization efforts of local citizens who are forming the nonprofit Blue Mountain Equestrian Center Board specifically for that purpose.

A bit shy of the 25 hors- es Councilman and Board Business Manager K.C. Kuykendall had originally anticipated boarding as of July 1, there are currently 16 horses making use of the boarding stalls. In addition, Doug Phipps, currently the only trainer at the facil- ity, can be seen working his horses daily. "Horse owners are more than welcome to haul-in and use the facilities (round-pen, arena, or horse track) with a daily or monthly pass," said Kuykendall, who encourages residents to come down and watch Phipps at work. "It's really quite amazing!"

The revitalization effort is being pursued as a community project for community benefit. "Success will be born out of collaborative public-private efforts, which will offer citizens new op- portunities for local fun and education, as well as promote economic benefit by attracting new visitors and patrons to our 'one of a kind' town," said Kuykendall.

Long term plans for the facilities include hosting a variety of events well beyond the mainstay horse and live- stock events. Music festivals, outdoor cooking events and competitions, micro-brew and wine festivals and youth and family events will be encouraged to make use of the venue.

Proceeds from boarding, events and fundraisers will be rolled back into the fairgrounds and used for facility renovations and new projects. Boarding fees are essential in providing the residual income necessary for maintenance and renovations and Kuykendall is requesting that residents spread the word that facili- ties are available.

Kuykendall is seeking volunteers willing to con- tribute an hour or two over the coming weeks to help with the face-lift. Projects currently underway include:

- Pressure washing, primingand painting

- Dirt leveling in stalls

- Motors for walkers

- Building picnic tables

- Board replacement in stalls

- Minor welding

- Hauling and situating the

Eco-Blocks for manure

management

- Beautification (anyonewith a green thumb)

"We're making every ef- fort to minimize any burden to city staff and budgets as we get this thing off the ground," said Kuykend- all. "Until we get a suffi- cient number of boarders to fund the purchase of needed items, we're going to make due and beg-borrow-or . . . well, beg or borrow will just have to do."

The growing list of needs includes: 2x12 boards (any length, new or used), ¾" ply- wood (4'x8' sheets), use of a 4-wheeler or small tractor for harrowing the arena, and 4" steel posts for hitch-rails and gates. "We currently have the use of a skid-loader but could use access to some quick disconnect forks oc- casionally," said Kuykendall.

Right: Facility manager Kavin Kuykendall trims the feet of his own horses in his "off duty" hours.

Manure disposal is always a challenge for board- ing facilities, and the group is hoping to identify a number of local farms and gar- dens that can make use of the soiled bedding for compost and fertilizer. Assistance in hauling manure once every couple of months is also welcome. As funds become available the board hopes to purchase an older dump-bed wheat truck and do hauling themselves.

"In addition to seeking muscle and money, we are inviting citizens interested in serving on Marketing & Outreach, Facilities, Events & Clubs, Finance, and Education & Entrepreneurship committees," said Kuyken- dall.

Anyone wishing to partic- ipate in planning, program- ming, fund-raising, or using the facilities, should contact Councilman K.C. Kuykend- all (509-396-1460 or KC@ emailSSG.com).