Rancho Potrero Equestrian Center funding approved
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

What Councilmember Claudia Bill-de la Peña described as a roller coaster ride ended Tuesday when the Thousand Oaks City Council, in a 5-0 vote, approved funding for the Rancho Potrero Equestrian Center in Newbury Park.

The cost of the equestrian center, at the site currently known as Two Winds Ranch, is estimated at $2.9 million, according to city staff reports.

A budget appropriation of $1.8 million was approved, with $747,000 coming from the Dos Vientos development fund and $683,000 from the Shapell/MGM Ranch development fund reserves. Improvements to Lynn Road will be funded by $120,000 from gas tax fund reserves. General fund reserves from the city will come to $250,000. The city already appropriated $1.1 million, which was included in the 2006 budget, according to staff reports.

At the meeting, the council also approved a lease agreement with the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency, which owns the land, and authorized the city manager to finalize a sublease between the equestrian center and Circle K Riding Stables.

Thomsen Landscape was awarded a $2-million contract for site improvements.

"This will be a jewel in the city of Thousand Oaks," Bill-de la Peña said.

The 20-acre site of the equestrian center connects with the 326-acre Rancho Potrero and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to the east.

Two Winds Ranch has been in Newbury Park for more than 20 years. The ranch boards horses and offers horse rentals and riding lessons. It moved from the north side of Lynn Road to its current location in 1995.

Site improvements include grading, road improvements, water and sewer line upgrades and landscaping.

Annexation of the 20 acres is expected by the end of the year, city staff promised.

Councilmember Dennis Gillette would have preferred to have the property annexed by the city before the project was funded. He was assured by city staff the property will be annexed.

Equestrians spoke in support of making the facility permanent. When they were finished, Councilmember Tom Glancy made the motion to accept staff's recommendations.

"It's time to put this thing to bed," Glancy said.

"We've made a commitment to the community; we've made a commitment to the residents. It's unfortunate the costs have gone up so much, but I certainly think this needs to be put to rest," Councilmember Jacqui Irwin said in supporting the motion.

"I have been an advocate of the equestrian activities in this community since my family owned horses here down by one of the old parks by El Monte Drive in the '60s," Gillette said.

He also voiced his concerns.

"I just can't see myself spending money outside the city where it's under the jurisdiction of another public jurisdiction, but that issue is being addressed and is going to be addressed," Gillette said.

After the unanimous vote, loud applause rang out in the audience.