The Barrington Hills Park District has announced in their July E-Newsletter that a “User Fee System” is being created for residents and non-residents who use the District’s Riding Center. Details such as the fee structure, administration and enforcement of the program have not yet been finalized, nor has a start date been announced.
To view a copy of the July BHPD E-Newsletter that was sent via email this morning which contained this announcement, as well as rules for trainers utilizing the Riding Center, click here.
Its about time!
What a LOAD of BS! Trainers and the Pony Club probably account for more than half of the wear and tear at the riding center. Trainers only pay $100/yr, so that’s what, about a grand or so per year for virtually unrestricted use. The Pony Club likely gets extremely favorable rates to haul and park dozens upon dozens of horse trailers on the property tearing up the turf.
The announcement yesterday is just a ploy to get residents off the park board’s backs. If they do begin charging fees they’ll collect a small fraction of what they expect since riders will ignore it or share whatever passes are issued.
This is so true. You’ll notice that the arenas and our turf are used all day by trainers. Multiple students at a time. They take over. Must be nice for them; they don’t have to maintain it. Really, the “trainers” (anyone can call himself a trainer) who have zero resources are able to use our riding center for their profit. Actually, some do have their own arenas and barns but choose our facility so we get the wear and tear, not them. Highly doubt the trainers and riders will adhere by these rules. Better than nothing though.
All users of the riding center should be paying fees! There is no other Park District that values its asset so little! Every rider there knows there should be a fee!
I agree with “Frustrated ! So called “trainers” can use the riding center as their business base for 100 dollars a year- Can’t blame them for doing it- to have a great place to work and no overhead-the fault belongs to the commissioners who make the policy, the only way to change that is to vote out any PD commissioner who has been in favor of that policy. There is an election next April- I hope someone who is interested in the best interests of the residents steps up and runs !
These “trainers” earn 100s of dollars and not one penny goes back to the park district
Are there any VBH Park District Board members whose family members, friends or associates financially benefitting from being a ‘trainer” without disclosing this fact or recusing him or herself on related votes before the Park District Board? If so, are other PD Board members speaking up about PD Board members who may have a conflict of interest? If not, why not?
Given corrupt practices of certain former “Save 5 Acres” cronies in recent past in VBH government, it would not surprise me if the “Save 5 Acres” contagion is now spilling over onto the VBH Park District.
Perhaps it has always been there but it is only now some of us have decided to opened our nostrils to get a whiff! Let me tell you, it smells!
Like Horse Puckey
Why must residents pay for any fees, normally it is non-residents who shoulder the financial burden? If the equestrian contingent wants to be viewed in a better light, then they shouldn’t pass fees onto their neighbors.
Perhaps, a better public relations campaign would be to not charge, and begin
rewriting their anti-resident, anti-horse dogma.