Currituck says giddyap to horse farm vision

CURRITUCK  COUNTY, N.C.

A horse farm at the center of a contentious election in 2006 now has a new name with updated plans and could open as Currituck County's newest park by late October.

Situated on about 100 acres along the Currituck Sound in Harbinger, the

4-H Cultural Life Center could get upgrades costing up to $663,000 or get phased improvements starting at about $286,000.

Horse shows and riding clinics are still part of the plans, but other activities proposed are kayaking, hiking trails, fishing ponds and a small replica of a 1930s Currituck County farmstead.

"The concept is to reflect the rural life of Currituck County - past and present," said Rodney Sawyer, director of Currituck County Cooperative Extension.

Since Currituck County bought the property three years ago for $3.2 million, vandals have either taken or damaged $40,000 worth of materials there, Sawyer said.

Upgrades to electrical wiring in the stalls, a covered arena and construction of rest-rooms and a small modular office building are among the first improvements planned.

Currituck County set aside $310,000 earlier this year to hire a four-person staff.

Terry Temple, who was hired three years ago before the project was shut down, was rehired as director of the park. Contractor Tracy Hale is the site manager. Sheila Moore and Michael Lesinski were hired as part-time park attendants.

The new staff got its first tour of the site Thursday.

Plans are to open the park by late October in celebration of the 100th anniversary of 4-H clubs in North Carolina.

"It's amazing," Temple said. "Everybody is extremely excited and can't wait for this to begin."

At 240 feet by 120 feet, the enclosed arena would be among the few public facilities like it in the state. Three state-owned horse arenas, in Raleigh, Williamston and Fletcher, are typically heavily booked. Several sets of stables could house horses overnight.

A canal suitable for kayaking runs through a marsh, prime habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds, before reaching the Currituck Sound. Two ponds are already stocked with fish.

"This could be a major mainland attraction, even a destination site," said Owen Etheridge, chairman of the Currituck County Board of Commissioners.

Etheridge opposed shutting down the park three years ago.

In August 2006, the county bought the property from developer Bob DeGabrielle using occupancy tax money. Temple was hired along with two part-time employees. Maintenance and repairs began. Within weeks, several groups had called to schedule events and training.

Prior to the November 2006 election, the horse farm was decried by challengers as a waste of taxpayers' money. The issue helped defeat three incumbents up for re-election.

After the 2006 election, new board members shut down the project. Later attempts to lease the property or sell it were unsuccessful.

In November, the board was expanded to seven members from five. Two first-time commissioners and former board member Paul O'Neal were elected, and plans for the horse farm park were resurrected. Commissioner Barry Nelms, who opposed the horse farm in 2006, supports the project now.

"I have nothing against the horse community, I just thought the rest of the community for that much investment was being left out," Nelms said. "I have no problem with what they're doing now."

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com