Wesley Clover Parks

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Wesley Clover Parks
Location Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Area 500 acres (200 ha)
Opened 2014 (2014)
Owned by National Capital Commission
Operated by Wesley Clover Foundation
Website www.wesleycloverparks.com

Wesley Clover Parks is an equestrian facility and campground in Ottawa’s Greenbelt area. It is located on the combined lands of the former Nepean National Equestrian Park and the Ottawa Municipal Campground.[1] The facilities, formerly operated by the city, offer a program of recreational horseback riding lessons, as well as space for private boarding, and campsites. The property has hosted international equestrian competitions and events. After a 25-year lease where they suffered financial losses for years, the city of Ottawa did not re-lease the property and it was leased to the Wesley Clover Foundation in 2014.[2][3]

Overview

Wesley Clover Parks' 500 acre property includes the stables and indoor arena, as well as several outdoor sand rings for riding, acres of pasture space, a cross-country course, a small wooded area that is home to many species of local wildlife, and a campground. The cross country course accommodates four levels of difficulty and is used for competitions.[4]

The facility offers a year-round program of lessons for riders. The riding school specializes in introducing beginners to English riding. The facility also has a therapeutic riding program for disabled children.[4]

The property has been rented out for national and international level jumping shows, such as the Capital Classic and the National Capital Show Jumping Tournament. The shows have attracted such riders as Ian Millar and Eric Lamaze. The NNEP also hosted other events, like the National Agility Association of Canada Dog Trials.[5]

History

The Nepean National Equestrian Park first began construction in 1974.[4] Ted De Long first proposed the project with the intention of creating an affordable riding program for those who could not buy or lease horses themselves. The facility would serve the west end and capital region. The property was leased from the National Capital Commission, and first operated by a partnership between the March and Nepean Townships.[6] The riding school was also intended to provide access to athletics programs for girls, while the city’s commitments to hockey rinks and sports fields were seen as mostly serving boys.[4] At its conception, De Long intended the park to offer both English and Western riding lessons, as well as other disciplines such as driving and horse-drawn skiing. Riders training for competitions would also be able to rent the facilities.[6]

The stables were designed by a local architect, Walter Coates, and built in 1976.[4] The construction of the indoor arena was delayed due to lack of funds.[6] The arena wasn’t constructed until 1981.[7]

Wesley Clover Foundation

In 2012, the City of Ottawa ended its lease of the property. The riding school was closed and the horses were sold. The lease was eventually awarded to the Wesley Clover Foundation, a private not-for-profit philanthropic corporation associated with high-tech entrepreneur Terry Matthews. The Foundation intends to invest more than $20 million to give the site a full re-construction.[2] Plans for the Park include a new riding school,[8] created in partnership with Canadian Olympian rider Ian Millar, an upgrade to the show grounds, new public seating, and new horseback riding trails. The Park will also host non-equestrian facilities,[9] such as several full-sized summer sports fields, a new home for the royal swans, an outdoor skating rink, skiing[10] and hiking trails, a campground, and a nature school for young children.[11] The Park intends to draw more international equestrian events, as well as more participation from the non-equestrian community in outdoor sports.

Anne, Princess Royal toured the facilities on Remembrance Day 2014[12][13] and dedicated in her name The Princess Royal Riding Ring.

A state-of-the-art artificial turf soccer field was constructed at the east end of the Parks, close to the Queensway and Moodie Drive, for use as a practice facility during the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.[14][15]

Notable events

Ottawa International Horse Show

The inaugural Ottawa International Horse Show was June 17–21, 2015. The largest class was the Brookstreet Grand Prix on June 20, 2015 where Ian Millar, Beth Underhill, Ainsley Vince, and Amy Millar competed.[16] Elizabeth Bates won the Grand Prix.[17]

George Morris

A George Morris Riding Clinic took place October 9, 2015 to October 11, 2015.[18]

Shania Twain

Shania Twain performed on June 27, 2015 as part of her Rock This Country Tour featuring The Doobie Brothers, Dan + Shay, and Wesley MacInnes.[19] It was her only outdoor performance in North America on the tour and first show in Ottawa in a decade. 24,000 people attended the concert.[20][21][22][23][24][25]

Upcoming Events

The Ottawa National Horse Show is taking place July 13–17, 2016.[26] The Ottawa International Horse Show is taking place July 20–24, 2016.[27]

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 The Corkstown Rd Equestrian Park, The Historical Society of Ottawa News, pg. 6, April 2014 [1]
  5. ↑ 2009 Audit of specific contracts at the Nepean National Equestrian Park, Ottawa Office of the Auditor General, 2009 [2]
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Equestrian Park hitting financial snags, The Saturday Citizen, Nov.8 1975 [3]
  7. ↑ Riding Arena, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Wesley_Clover_Parks&oldid=721060079"