Consultation results on Dunmore arena, equestrian centre presented to Cypress County Council

The goal of the consultation is to help with the decision to fund both, one or none of the facilities.

PRSD is asking the County for $5 million, covering half of the estimated $10,762,114 capital construction costs, along with 50 per cent of the estimated $83,000 annual operating deficit.

The Dunmore Equestrian Society has estimated its indoor riding arena will cost $5 million. The County anticipates they will request $2 million in capital funding.

Edmonton-based SAGE Analytics compiled the information gathered during the consultation into a 253 page report for councillors and County administration.

The report shows 38 per cent of public survey respondents said they lived closest to Dunmore, while 16 per cent said Medicine Hat, and 11 per cent said Seven Persons.

When it comes to the hockey arena and training centre, open house attendees said the facility will be an asset for Dunmore, and will create new recreational opportunities. However, they also said the intersection accessing the facility wouldn’t be safe, and the economic benefit would be greater for Medicine Hat than for Dunmore and the County.

For the equestrian centre, attendees said it was positive the facility could be used year-round, and that it fits well with the rural ranching community. Residents also added the project would only benefit a relatively small number of people, and had concerns about intersection safety.

Three questions were asked about each facility.

The first question asked whether the facility will provide a benefit to the Cypress County region. When it comes to the arena, 47 percent said yes, while 45 per cent said no. For the equestrian centre, 74 per cent said yes, while 19 per cent said no.

The second question asked whether residents were in support of using county funds to partially assist with construction. For the arena, 38 per cent said yes, while 58 per cent said no. The equestrian centre received more support, with 64 per cent saying yes, and 28 per cent saying no.

The third question asked whether the resident would use the proposed facility. For the arena, 28 per cent said yes, and 59 per cent said no. Response to the equestrian centre was polarized, with 43 per cent said yes, and 43 per cent said no.

Overall, the Dunmore Equestrian Society was happy with the results.

“We’re very excited today, this is a very positive move from the county to take this on and find out what the actual wants are of the community,” says Blair Reid, president of the society. “I think our group as a whole is very happy.”

Councillors will discuss how to move forward with the information in the report during their next council meeting on October 1.

by Jessie Weisner

Consultation results on Dunmore arena, equestrian centre presented to Cypress County Council

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