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New riding center rising in Odessa
By JACKIE RIPLEY © St. Petersburg Times, published December 24, 2000 CITRUS PARK -- While the bony underpinnings of a barn and arena are now the largest visible features of a planned equestrian center for disabled riders, the promise is there. And it won't be long before these riders have a state-of-the-art facility off Race Track Road. "We're moving on schedule and will probably move in May or June," said Beth Harre-Ore, director of the Bakas Riding Center, now based at Lake Park in Lutz. "We're really excited about it. Last week workers were hammering nails into the framework of a barn destined to be twice the size of the one now used by the county-run program, and the cover is already on the center's riding arena, the future epicenter of activity for scores of handicapped riders. At the Lake Park facility "when it rains the kids have to turn around and go home," said Ed Radice, Hillsborough County's director of parks and recreation. And some weeks "that was their only activity." The $420,000 equestrian center, being built by local developer Bill Bishop on land he donated to the county, has not been without controversy. Over the course of several months, Bishop squared off with residents who opposed the riding center because its construction involved the purchase of 122 acres of surplus water property, part of about 1,500 acres that the county had set aside for public use and as a buffer against development. At the time, county recreation officials said the Lake Park location was too small for the riding program, and that there was no money to build another center. The Bakas program is free and open to riders as young as four with a variety of physical and mental disabilities. It was created in 1986 by the county recreation department and has become so popular that students are being turned away. It serves about 70 riders a week with about 60 on a waiting list. County officials say the new center will enable them to drastically shorten that waiting list. In turn, satisfactory completion of the center will enable Bishop to purchase 122 acres for $1.42-million for a subdivision east of Race Track Road and south of Mobley Road. According to the deal hammered out between Bishop and the county, Radice said the riding facility must be finished by May. If county commissioners approve, Bishop "has the right to purchase the property." In the meantime, the county and Bishop have come up with a few improvements to the original plan, including an hydraulic lift to help riders onto some of the taller horses. "Most facilities omit that, or they just don't think of it, but the children have a hard time getting up on the horses," Radice said. Marred only by the presence of a high-voltage Florida Power transmission line, the 22-acre wooded setting is flanked by two man-made lakes, the perfect setting for planned overnight camping trips. "This will be a good camping experience for kids in the summer," Radice said. "They'll be able to camp overnight, fish in the lake, see the horses. These are things they haven't been able to experience, at least around here." The commission earlier this year allocated additional money to the county's Schools, Parks and Special Kids program, which helps double the size of the county's summer camps program for disabled children. In May, volunteers will clear out trails and build a camp site for the children at the center. "We're very, very anxious to get people involved," Harre-Orr said. - Jackie Ripley can be reached at (813) 226-3468 or ripley@sptimes.com.
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