FILLMORE : Riding Center to Get New Concessionaire

The city of Fillmore has chosen a new concessionaire to operate and oversee the rejuvenation of its badly run-down equestrian center.

A concession agreement with Fillmore resident Dylan Snow was approved at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Snow, owner of the Arroyo Feed and Pet Supply store in Fillmore, will assume responsibility for the R&R; Equestrian Center in January.

The agreement stipulates that Snow provide about $6,000 worth of improvements to the dilapidated center during the first year of his 10-year contract.

Other improvements under the agreement will include water-well rehabilitation, restroom facilities, new corrals and a new regulation-size arena for roping and riding activities.

“The center has become extremely run-down because of lack of investment,” Snow said.

“Our goal is to bring the facility back up to a smooth running equestrian center and provide an attraction to outside visitors.”

The no-frills, city-owned facility, located at the junction of California 126 and California 23, on the south bank of the Santa Clara River, is a popular spot for area horse owners because of its affordable boarding rates.

Monthly fees for corral space at the 35-acre center are about $65.

Rates at other county facilities can run from $180 to $350 a month, Snow said.

Fillmore’s facility is unique because tenants have the option of providing their own horse care or paying extra to have the center do it for them, officials said.

The new concession agreement ensures that current boarding rates will remain the same.

The center has about 80 corrals and future plans call for raising the number to about 120 corrals, Snow said.

Snow will pay the city $1,000 monthly to rent the center.

The first six months will be rent free to offset the cost of improvements.

The center was built 20 years ago atop a former city landfill.

Past maintenance problems have included holes opening up on the grounds posing hazards for the horses and riders.

The land has now sufficiently settled, Snow said, and he does not expect further problems.

Snow said he envisions a variety of events that will attract visitors from throughout the county.

“Mainly what we need to do is provide two full-sized regulation arenas dedicated to the Western style of riding and the English style,” Snow said.

“We want to make this a place people will want to come even if they don’t own a horse.”

Don and Betty Marcotte, the previous concessionaires, were not among the five people who submitted proposals for the new contract.