TEHACHAPI, CA - Tehachapi officials are working on some major improvements for a 50-year-old rodeo arena that's the hub for local equestrian events. From a covered arena and horse stalls, to a BMX track and possibly one day the new site of the Volkslauf Mud Run, the proposed multi-use facility would attract many different interests.
While the city council approved the initial phases, there's still a lot of work to be done before the site is fully functional.
Tehachapi Assistant City Manager Chris Kirk, "This piece we've envisioned as being part of our motocross and BMX area of the event center."
City Manager Greg Garrett says the planned 77-acre event center and rodeo arena, just north of the airport, has potential for brining new activities to the area.
Garrett said, "Some of the sporting events that could potentially come here - baseball, motocross, like I said, BMX - there's things that will be incorporated into this event center that we don't have. Plus, the economics of the situation."
The Tehachapi City Council recently approved $500,000 to create a master plan, but city officials say constructing the project will cost much more.
"We know that is just an initial investment. We know that it's going to take a lot more than that to actually develop the site, long term, but it gives us a place that we can start breaking off meaningful chunks and looking for those partners to help develop those sites," said Kirk.
Kirk says there are short term and long term goals for the project.
They polled local kids and found they'd like bonfire areas and area that could host an annual mud run. Others envision areas for picnicking, concerts, and weddings.
"We think that over the next three to five years, we can build some of the larger, more permanent improvements like the RV parking. If we can find the right partner, potentially the covered arena," said Kirk.
City officials say they hope to complete the site in the next five to 15 years, but investors are needed. They say they plan to make announcements this summer on when some of the projects will begin.
While the upgrades are being made, the facility is expected to remain operational.
While the city council approved the initial phases, there's still a lot of work to be done before the site is fully functional.
Tehachapi Assistant City Manager Chris Kirk, "This piece we've envisioned as being part of our motocross and BMX area of the event center."
City Manager Greg Garrett says the planned 77-acre event center and rodeo arena, just north of the airport, has potential for brining new activities to the area.
Garrett said, "Some of the sporting events that could potentially come here - baseball, motocross, like I said, BMX - there's things that will be incorporated into this event center that we don't have. Plus, the economics of the situation."
The Tehachapi City Council recently approved $500,000 to create a master plan, but city officials say constructing the project will cost much more.
"We know that is just an initial investment. We know that it's going to take a lot more than that to actually develop the site, long term, but it gives us a place that we can start breaking off meaningful chunks and looking for those partners to help develop those sites," said Kirk.
Kirk says there are short term and long term goals for the project.
They polled local kids and found they'd like bonfire areas and area that could host an annual mud run. Others envision areas for picnicking, concerts, and weddings.
"We think that over the next three to five years, we can build some of the larger, more permanent improvements like the RV parking. If we can find the right partner, potentially the covered arena," said Kirk.
City officials say they hope to complete the site in the next five to 15 years, but investors are needed. They say they plan to make announcements this summer on when some of the projects will begin.
While the upgrades are being made, the facility is expected to remain operational.