By Horse Journals

June 28, 2012

A city report released on Wednesday recommends the closure of the city-run Nepean National Equestrian Park, which has registered an annual deficit of $140,000 for the past six years.

Established in 1986 by the former city of Nepean, just outside Ottawa, Ontario, the park houses a riding school, which offers riding lessons from the beginner to intermediate levels, March Break and Summer day camps, and a variety of clinics, a boarding facility, and world class competition grounds which host local, national, and international equestrian events throughout the year. In addition to equine events, the park also hosts a variety of agricultural, sporting, and community events, and supports seven full-time staff members and an additional 25 part-time employees.

The park’s 270 acres are leased by the city at a cost of $20,000 annually. The lease expired on December 31, 2011, and since then the city has rented the land on a month-to-month basis.

The report estimates that closing the park by the end of the year will save the city more than $320,000 in 2013, but suggests that $50,000 be retained to continue the therapeutic riding program that currently operates at the park.

The city’s Finance and Economic Development Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 3, to further discuss the issue.

With files from ottawacitizen.com and ottawasun.com.