| This photo of the new indoor arena was taken during the construction phase during the summer. An open house is scheduled for February. |
Councilman Joel Dorsch made a presentation to the Castle Dale City Council at the recent council meeting. He was proposing a fee schedule for the new indoor riding arena. His proposals were to make a membership possible for those who want to use the arena.
The proposed fee schedule is: $50 per person per year or $20 per person per month. If a person wants to use the arena for one time for a couple of hours, they should check with Dorsch. These proposed fees will be reduced by half for Castle Dale residents. This membership will allow for an unlimited amount of arena use during open arena times. Membership will also allow reduced rates for block rentals, and a cleaning deposit may be required.
For ticketed events, the charge is proposed to be $350 per day which includes some lighting and the use of the tractor. In practice situations, the charge for an eight hour day will be $100 for members and $200 for non-members. This charge will include some lighting and the renter must do the clean up after the practice.
The charge for shows, which usually run longer than eight hours, is proposed to be $150 for members and $250 for non-members, and will include some lights, use of the tractor and the renter must do cleanup.
In some instances, a person may wish to rent the arena for a time block such as two hours every other Tuesday, or something along those lines for practices. For time blocks on a regular schedule, the proposed charge will be $15 per hour with a two hour minimum with a four hour maximum for members. The charge for non-members will be $25 per hour with a two hour minimum, with a four hour maximum. The charge will include some lights and the renter must do clean up following the use of the arena.
Time blocks for events will be $25 per hour with a three hour minimum for members. For non-members, the charge will be $50 per hour with a three hour minimum. Each of these items will have a four hour maximum. If a renter exceeds the four hours, he will be charged for the entire day. These charges include some lights and they must clean up after the event and includes the tractor.
For all of the cleanup following practices, use and events, a tractor driver will be available for $17 per hour. This item will be considered further and may become required for the city driver to operate the tractor for all uses in the arena.
Following some discussion and scenario presentations, the council approved to adopt this fee schedule as a resolution. Councilman Dorsch explained that for non-profit groups such as Horse 4-H, riding clubs, and high school rodeos, the Emery Recreation District has paid the fees in the past for the outdoor arena and that arrangement will probably continue for the indoor arena. The council will consider the fee schedule for the outdoor arena at the January meeting.
Councilman Dorsch explained that advertising space will be sold inside the arena. There are 33 spaces available for those who wish to advertise inside the arena. For more information, an interested person may contact Councilman Dorsch.
“I can’t say enough about the volunteer workers we have had helping with this arena,” said Councilman Dorsch. “We have had thousands of volunteer hours put in. We are so grateful to these volunteers for their help.” A grand opening and ribbon cutting is scheduled to be held in conjunction with the February 2007 council meeting.
In other business conducted by Castle Dale City Council, Mayor Neal Peacock advised the council he would look into the situation of citizens outside of the city limits using culinary water for stock watering.
The council approved to raise the rates for garbage cans. In the contract with the garbage service provider, it states that for second cans, there is a $3 charge. It also states that the rates will increase by 10 cents per can every year after the first year of the contract. So the increase will be 20 cents per month for those residents with two cans and 10 cents for those with one can.
Mayor Peacock explained a letter he had received from the city attorney. The attorney is urging the city to make the present zoning ordinance more enforceable. The letter included a sample citation. It was approved to hold a public hearing in February 2007 to take comments on these changes.
Councilman Dorsch announced that signs are being made to post in the arena stating the liabilities of the city for injuries that may happen in the new arena. He stated that Utah code concerning equine and livestock activity liability limitations is very clear that the city cannot be held liable for injuries. “If the proper signage is posted, the city cannot be held liable for the inherent risks associated with equine and livestock activity,” stated Councilman Dorsch.
In a concluding statement at the council meeting, Mayor Peacock stated, “As we look to the future of Castle Dale, our priorities should be to finish the equestrian center and the cemetery projects. Then we need to do everything possible that we can do in a positive way to help with the swimming pool project.
“That project may begin construction in April. I appreciate the voters in Emery County for voting to complete the pool project. I know they approved it because it was the right thing to do. We then need to focus on a resolution concerning the old sheriff’s office area,” concluded Mayor Peacock.
The next meeting of the Castle Dale City Council will be held Jan. 11, 2007 at 7 p.m. at city hall.