Committee discusses Freemanville/ Hopewell parcels, proposes project plan for riding ring and to survey farm owners on large‑lot incentives

Committee members discussed city‑owned parcels (referred to as the Bates/Freemanville and Hopewell properties) and asked whether portions could be used to support equestrian programming. Suggestions included updating the existing small ring at Hopewell, rebuilding a larger riding ring, renovating outbuildings for equipment storage, hosting clinician‑led clinics, and leasing paddocks to generate interim revenue.

Staff reminded the committee that Freemanville is currently designated as greenspace/conservation and that a reconstituted greenspace ('green print') committee will decide allowable low‑impact uses. Members raised constraints including staffing levels, maintenance needs and competing budget priorities such as a new fire station. One member said the city could consider a membership model for a public riding ring and suggested volunteers or fundraising to support small‑scale upgrades; another noted the committee may need to prepare a mini project plan with cost estimates for council consideration.

On large‑lot incentives, the committee agreed to draft a short (about five questions) survey to solicit input from farm owners before moving forward with policy recommendations. Members recommended specific survey formats (rank‑your‑top‑five items) to keep the questionnaire concise and actionable; the chair said a draft survey will be presented at the next meeting for committee review.

The committee identified next steps: (1) attend greenspace/green‑print committee meetings as appropriate to understand constraints; (2) prepare a base project plan with costs and materials for any riding‑ring proposal; and (3) circulate a draft survey for farm‑owner input at the next meeting.