Ross to residents: Proposed equestrian park needs funding

Before the recession, northwest Las Vegas was on the brink of creating a 320-acre equestrian park that was set to bring “worldwide attention” to the area.

Las Vegas Mayor Pro Tem and Ward 6 City Councilman Steve Ross told residents during a March 27 meeting that the project — now more than 10 years in the making and without any recent signs of life — has not been forgotten.

“We still plan to build an equestrian park that will become a nationwide attraction and world-class facility,” Ross said. “Getting it built is not only my goal, but the city’s goal, as well. Right now, we’re trying to find funding.”

Between 70 and 100 people showed up to the meeting inside the Centennial Hills Community Center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, to voice their support for the park.

“This is exactly what we needed to hear tonight,” Ross said. “The community has made it loud and clear that they want this park, and this is just a small sampling of it. There are still hundreds more families in the northwest.”

The site for the proposed park sits along the east side of Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs at the intersection of Jones Boulevard and Iron Mountain Road. The city received approval for the $38 million project in the late 1990s from the Bureau of Land Management to put the equestrian park on government land. Planning began in 2005.

In today’s dollars, the project is projected to cost $39 million, according to Orlando Sanchez, deputy city manager. Of the original 320 acres, approximately 80 will be available for the park, while the rest is being protected as part of the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument.

Under a plan developed by the city Department of Public Works, the estimated cost of the first phase is $5.75 million, which includes a covered event arena, an open-air warm-up area, a horse barn, public parking and an entrance drive, trailer parking, restrooms, a contestants’ entry, a public entrance and flood control berm.

Ross said he plans to seek dollars from Clark County’s room tax, Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act funds and private investors, as well as the city, although he added that was unlikely to happen any time soon, as the city is anticipating a budget deficit of $3.1 million in fiscal year 2017.

“Clark County initially said they were going to give us $5.5 million to get started on the project, but (former Clark County Commissioner) Tom Collins got mad at me and gave that money to North Las Vegas for Craig Ranch,” Ross said. “Now we’re at zero dollars. We, the city, need to go to Clark County around December and write a letter requesting funding for the park. They select who they give the money to.”

Residents voiced their concerns to push the project forward.

“Having this park here is a good way to keep kids off of the street,” said Marilee Mott, a northwest resident and horse owner. “Most kids love horses, and it’s a good way to keep them occupied.”

Terri Gamboa, local real estate agent and northwest resident, who said she pushed Ross to host the update meeting, has been waiting years for the project to start.

“There are a lot of horsey people that live in this side of town, and we just don’t have enough parks here,” Gamboa said. “We’re really pushing for a covered arena because it’s too hot to ride outside in the sun during the summer. Quite a few people were talking about starting some type of fundraiser to get this park going. All of these things were promised to us 10 years ago. Now it’s been 10 years, and other parks have been finished in other areas. We just need to push harder to let people know we really want this park.”

Janis Grady, who lives near the proposed project site, raised concerns about dust and maintenance.

“I’ve seen the way some facilities aren’t maintained,” Grady said. “For those of us who live close to the site, our biggest concern is dust from the open facilities and traffic. I just want to make sure that things are taken care of and planned appropriately.”

One resident asked Ross — who is running for election as County Commissioner for District B — if he would push the park forward if he wins a spot on the County Commission.

“I can say 110 percent yes,” Ross said. “The relationship between the city and county is horrendous, but that relationship will change if I’m elected. I promise you, I will get this park built before I’m dead.”

To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.