New Lease Agreement for Equestrian Center Approved
Lakewood City Hall erupted into thunderous applause on Tuesday, Dec.10, as the City Council approved a new lease agreement for the Lakewood Equestrian Center (LEC), a vote that will help the city’s historic 19-acre ranch remain in continued operation.
Originally built in 1946 by Glenn Spiller, the formed namely Lakewood Stables operated on 8.5 acres in the midst of a suburban neighborhood for 30 years, offering guests of the stables riding lessons and hayrides throughout the property. Then, in 1976, Spiller sold the land to Juan de Cordova, owner of the de Cordova and Sons Horse Ranch in Cerritos, who maintained it until selling the ranch land to the City of Lakewood in 1979, transforming it into the equestrian center it is today.
In recent years, the LEC has faced financial issues, causing the City of Lakewood to decide whether it was beneficial to continue funding for the property and possibly operate it into the red, or to simply close it all down. Eventually, the city council decided to look for more options, of which they looked for propositions from potential operators to lease the property to.
And to their luck, the city council received a promising proposition from Cindy Flavin, a local resident of Lakewood and owner of Pilmore Equestrian LLC.
During the city council meeting, Flavin gave a statement to the city council, expressing her gratitude to them for their consideration in entrusting her with the care and operations of the LEC.
“The work that the city staff has put in to protect the future of the LEC particularly the efficiency and focus they have shown this last week and a half, is so appreciated by myself, my team and other members of the community,” said Flavin. “To be entrusted with the future of the Lakewood Equestrian Center is truly an exciting and humbling prospect.”
To Flavin, the LEC is not just a facility for the horses that call Lakewood home, but a vital and cherished part of the city itself – a place, she says where riders and equine enthusiasts are able to purse their passions, while also allowing families and residents to come and experience equestrian culture.
“It is our primary goal to ensure that the center is improved to its highest and best use, and that it can be thrive for generations to come,” said Flavin. “I fully recognize the responsibility that comes with managing such an important space and I am deeply honored that you are considering entrusting me and feel more equestrian to lead the revitalization and improve public access. I am fully committed that the LEC not only remains a treasured asset, but that it begins to grow and evolve in ways that increasingly benefit the people of Lakewood and surrounding neighborhoods.”
In Flavin’s proposition, she outlined several additions and changes she and her team would make to the LEC under her ownership, including the development of a new u-shaped barn with a courtyard suitable for small weddings or other events, as well as around 100 stalls for horse boarding, with some existing stalls being relocated and upgraded to make better use of space.
Flavin’s proposal also involved introducing educational events and programs for attendees of the LEC, including art classes, therapeutic riding and horse training programs for thoroughbreds.
“Should we be given this opportunity, our goal is to create a welcoming environment for everyone, including experienced riders, newcomers to the sport, or spectators who wish to enjoy the open space for quiet relaxation or artistic endeavors,” said Flavin.
Once Flavin finished her statement, members of the Lakewood City Council took a moment to share their thoughts on the matter.
One of which was Councilmember Steve Croft, who expressed his concerns and opposition on the matter of the lease agreement. To Croft, one of his main concerns involved Cynthia Flavin’s plans on generating funding for the LEC with her husband, via a $250,000 home equity line of credit, a Home Depot credit card with a $75,000 limit, a Restoration Hardware credit card with a $50,000 limit and other personal lines of credit
“I think she’s been very creative and trying to get a lot of new ideas on ways to generate revenue, but even those will take a long period of time,” said Croft. “My biggest reason for not supporting this, though, is that it only is currently benefiting 11 borders from Lakewood and the number of residents who visit the site primarily go for the pony rides or the petting zoo and those are things that we could maintain on the property with a much smaller footprint.”
Lakewood Mayor Todd Rogers, also shared his thoughts on the matter, stating that the city council have spent these past few years looking for a “white knight” to stay committed to the LEC’s operations and that there may be no better person to take that charge than Flavin and her team.
“I read the agreement – It’s a difficult agreement. There’s a lot of requirements in there, a lot of expenses involved. And to put your personal financial security at risk. To do that shows me a level of commitment that I think is pretty amazing,” said Rogers. “That shows quite the passion and again, the commitment to investing in this property and making it work.”
Rogers continued: “We’re going into this with our eyes wide open. I know you [Cindy Flavin] are too, especially you have more at stake than most, right? So, we’re going to do everything we can to support you within the confines of the agreement and I know you’re going to do everything you can to make it successful.”
In the end, after a vote, the city council voted majority in support of approving the lease agreement with Cindy Flavin and Pilmore Equestrians LLC, with the promise of appropriating $150,000 from the general fund for prioritized facility improvements in the LEC.
Once the motion was carried, the audience in attendance cheered and clapped for the city council’s decision.
Flavin will officially assume operational control of the LEC starting on Jan. 1 of the new year. Only time will tell now what awaits the 19-acre equestrian center, but to Flavin and her team, it is certainly looking like hope.
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