by David Ball
Staff Writer
Members of the Northeast Florida Equestrian Society said their relationship with SMG isn’t “adversarial,” but they do take issue with how the group is handling certain aspects of the Jacksonville Equestrian Center.
Equestrian Society board members Peggy Fuller, Joanne Connell and chair Betty Griner met with Council President Daniel Davis and Council member Jack Webb Monday to discuss their issues, particularly policies that society members say is shutting the center out to local riders and groups, in favor of larger for-profit events.
“There is a lack of accessibility by Duval County taxpayers,” said Fuller. “One option is to get rid of the middle man (SMG) and run the Equestrian Center through the parks and recreation department.”
Equestrian Center Director Lisa Williams represented SMG, which through a City contract manages the center and five other public facilities, including Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, Veteran Memorial Arena, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville and the Prime Osborn Convention Center.
Williams said SMG has done much to involve the local equestrian community, and grants such as from the Tourist Development Council (TDC) can help smaller groups host events there.
However, Davis and Webb agreed that some “out of the box” ideas could be employed to better utilize the center, and they asked the Equestrian Society members and Williams to bring back some possible solutions in two weeks.
One of the biggest issues, though, had to do with price.
“My taxes are already paying for the Equestrian Center and I want to have an event there ... but (I’m) going to have to go down to Clay County,” said Fuller. “Jacksonville is four times more expensive.”
Fuller provided a list of fees at the Clay County Fairgrounds and the Equestrian Center. According to her data, a 3-day event requiring 150 horse stalls, arena use, electricity, sound system and other amenities would cost $4,650 in Clay County and $16,995 at the Equestrian Center.
However, Fuller admitted the Equestrian Center fees include items like shaved wood beddings, janitorial services and security, that event organizers would have to pay for out-of-pocket in Clay County.
“Most local horse groups are either not-for-profit or 4-H groups,” said Fuller. “They make their money at concession stands, but those are not accessible at the Equestrian Center (that uses SMG vendors).”
Williams said SMG has never considered local fairgrounds as competitors. She said the closest competitors are county-owned equestrian centers in Tampa and Perry, Ga.
“Our pricing is right in line with those facilities,” said Williams. “We market for regional events and international events. The City has some procedures, rent relief through the mayor’s office.”
Williams added that hosts of some regional events could apply for TDC reimbursement, which Davis also encouraged if the events put heads in beds.
“To me, that’s a perfect application to the TDC,” said Davis, who as council president chairs the TDC.
However, the Equestrian Society members said they’d rather see a different pricing structure for non-profit groups rather then having to apply for money, and Webb said he shared the concerns.
“You would have to make certain assumptions that you were going to have those (hotel night) numbers,” said Webb. “And there is no guarantee you’ll get the money.”
Griner said the issue essentially comes down to SMG honoring the agreement reached when the Equestrian Center was conveyed to the City by the Department of the Interior.
“I was part of that original drive for the Equestrian Center and it was supposed to be for community usage,” said Griner. “It was supposed to be a combined facility, and based on what I’ve seen ... it has not operated as a combined facility.
“From where I’m sitting, we are totally out of compliance with that conveyance document,” she added.