- Tennis ace Oskar Bjuroe wins prestigious scholarship
- Intense play as corporate squash heads into final week
- A historic first for Latinos FC
- Elite, Scholars share women’s crowns
- Aaron Jarvis commits to UNLV, dreams of playing professionally
- Cayman’s World Cup qualifying opponents drawn
- BTFC back on top as CIFA Premier League Champions
- Certification offered for football referees
- Footballers to remember Gonzalo with ‘minute of silence’
- Corporate squash league serves up excitement
Saving the Equestrian Center
- Updated: 10 November 2016
Customers and friends of the Equestrian Center are making a desperate plea to save the facility that’s under threat with the expansion of the Linford Pierson Highway, adding to its recent problems with its horses being assaulted.
The property sits just off the highway – the busiest route for vehicular traffic between George Town and areas to the east of the capital. The roadway is being extended from two to four lanes in a bid to reduce congestion along the route, particularly at rush hour periods. However, this would take it through the parcels of land where the Equestrian Center is located.
The facility is used by athletes competing in local equestrian sports, as well as to prepare for international competition. It has also attracted guests to play in the pony park and pet the animals.
The pink lines represent the road extension. They run directly through vital grazing areas and paddocks, employee housing, car parking facilities, and the entrance / exit – taking away access to the property.
An online petition has been launched to gather support, which they plan to present to Premier Alden McLaughlin with the hope of finding a solution. As of early afternoon on Thursday, 10 November, it had attracted more than 600 of the 1,000 signatures being sought.
“The EC has been operational for 25 years and was established long before the first two lanes of the highway were constructed. The Government now wants to run four lanes of traffic over this property. This would make it impossible for the EC to operate safely and the island’s longest standing riding school and pony park will be forced to close,” the petition stated.
They say there is an alternative to shutting the facility, rendering animals homeless and putting people out of their jobs. Nine people are employed there.
This is an alternative road plan petitioners want government to consider.
“There is suitable, undeveloped land directly opposite the riding school. We hope that the Government can see fit to utilise this land instead of destroying 25 years of history and forcing the closure of a facility that provides the community with a rare and wonderful service,” the petition noted.
It’s understood that a legal battle is being had over the matter involving the operators of the facility and the National Roads Authority.
The Equestrian Center has been in the news a bit lately for a rash of attacks on its horses. A $15,000 reward has been offered to help catch whoever is responsible for the most recent sexual assault on one of the horses last week. The pony, Pebbles, had to undergo emergency surgery this week. One of the horses assaulted in August had to be put down.
The petiton can be found here: https://www.change.org/p/the-cayman-islands-government-save-the-equestrian-center
Related Posts
You must be logged in to post a comment Login