At the corner of Arlington Drive and Newport Blvd, across the street from TeWinkle Park, is the equestrian center. The approximately 7.5 acre facility includes stables, riding arenas, wash areas, and hot walkers, among other amenities. The facility is owned by the state and operated under contract with an outside operator. Terms of the operations contract include payment of the greater of $3000 per month or 10% of the operators gross revenue each month in addition to expenses specified in the contract. The agreement is on a month to month basis.

The current lease is here  Download Equestrian Center Lease

The Master Site Plan process cost the Public who own the OC Fairgrounds $252,369, and the Public was allowed one (1) meeting to have input. Work on the Master Site Plan started in October 2016. Board members, executive management, staff, and contractors were given opportunities for input to steer the process before the Public was given their one (1) meeting in June 2016.

The contract cost was increased by 30% in October 2017 with the contract amendment not made public until December 2017. When CEO Kathy Kramer was asked why the 30% increase in the contract amount was needed, CEO Kramer could not explain why the additional funds were required or what would be done with the additional funds. CEO Kramer claimed that the scope of work or deliverables had not changed and that the schedule had not changed even though the contract now cost 30% more, which does not make sense. CEO Kramer also could not explain why the contract was extended by a year.  

The contract with the Master Site Plan contractor is here: Download Johnson Consulting Amended Agreement

The proposal for Master Site Plan services which is now defines the work to be performed is here:

 Download Johnson Consulting Response to OC Fair Master Site Plan MS-12-16 8.19.16...