Are The Stables Worth It?

The following Letter To The Editor was written and sent in by Steve Hudson of Seven Lakes North. The views expressed in this letter do not reflect the views of The Seven Lakes Insider.

I recently read a story in the Seven Lakes Insider from this past summer.  It stated that there were 622 North, South residents and resident guests had at least one lesson, trail, pasture, or pony ride from May 2018 through April 2019.  With a budget of about $100,000., that’s about $160.00 per ride!!  With this years budget of over $100,000. plus a $50,000.  facility fee, that means it could cost us over $240.00 per ride!!

Why do you continue to throw our money away on the stables?  It use to be that trail rides were done almost every day but now they’re only done 2 or 3 days a week.  Doesn’t that show you that ridership is way down?  Less riders but we have over $60,000. in salaries for the stables!!  It is a huge waste of money!

The West Side never set up a stable because they determined it was too expensive for what it was!  We have no complete or truthful data concerning the stables.  How many landowners use the stables?  Think about it, $160 to $240 per ride is a terrible waste!   What are you going to do about it?   About 15 years ago, we had a company police force that cost us about $100,000. a year.  The community voted to get rid of it.  How many landowners really want to continue to pay for the stables and also pay for dues increases year after year for their support??

I ask again, what are you going to do about it?

Steve Hudson of Seven Lakes North