Wesley Clover Parks
| Wesley Clover Parks | |
|---|---|
| Location | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Coordinates | 45°20′22″N 75°51′10″W / 45.33944°N 75.85278°WCoordinates: 45°20′22″N 75°51′10″W / 45.33944°N 75.85278°W |
| Area | 500 acres (200 ha) |
| Opened | 2014 |
| Owned by | National Capital Commission |
| Operated by | Wesley Clover Foundation |
| Website | www |
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]
Contents
Overview[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
Ottawa International Horse Show[edit]
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[edit]
A George Morris Riding Clinic took place October 9, 2015 to October 11, 2015.[18]
Shania Twain[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
- ^ "Campground to change hands". Ottawa South News - Metroland Media Group. February 6, 2014.
- ^ a b "Aging equestrian venue to get a makeover". CBC News. January 17, 2013.
- ^ "A World-Class Equestrian Centre and a Local Attraction for the Capital Region". National Capital Commission. April 24, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e The Corkstown Rd Equestrian Park, The Historical Society of Ottawa News, pg. 6, April 2014 [1]
- ^ 2009 Audit of specific contracts at the Nepean National Equestrian Park, Ottawa Office of the Auditor General, 2009 [2]
- ^ a b c Equestrian Park hitting financial snags, The Saturday Citizen, Nov.8 1975 [3]
- ^ Riding Arena, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
- ^ "Horse riding programs return to Nepean equestrian park". Orlean News - Metroland Media Group. October 16, 2014.
- ^ "West-end equestrian park heads down new path; Music festivals possible at new grounds". Ottawa West News - Metroland Media Group. May 22, 2014.
- ^ "Kanata Nordic Ski Club relocating to Wesley Clover Parks". Kanata Kourier-Standard - Metroland Media Group. February 18, 2015.
- ^ "Forest school hopes to partner with public school board". CBC News. August 15, 2014.
- ^ "Princess Anne's Ottawa tour will honour everyday heroes". CBC News. November 7, 2014.
- ^ "Details about Princess Anne’s upcoming Remembrance Day trip to Canada". Ottawa Citizen. November 5, 2014.
- ^ "FIFA constructs world-class turf field at Wesley Clover Parks". Ottawa Community News - Metroland Media Group. June 20, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
- ^ "Artificial turf soccer field completes vision for former Nepean Equestrian Park facility". Ottawa Citizen. May 7, 2015.
- ^ "Ian Millar ushers show jumping back into town". Ottawa Citizen. June 17, 2015.
- ^ "Elizabeth Bates Wins $35,000 Brookstreet Grand Prix". Horse Canada. June 20, 2015.
- ^ "George Morris Clinic". Retrieved September 11, 2015.
- ^ "Shania Twain in Ottawa tonight". CTV News. June 27, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
- ^ "Music review: Shania Twain 'grateful' to be back and Ottawa glad to have her". Ottawa Citizen. June 28, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
- ^ "Shania Twain visits Ottawa in June at Wesley Clover Field". CBC News. March 4, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
- ^ "Shania Twain concert will kick off major new music venue". Ottawa Citizen. March 5, 2015.
- ^ "Shania Twain heading to Ottawa for first show in a decade". Metro News. March 5, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
- ^ "Shania Twain to Rock This Country in Ottawa". Ottawa Sun. March 4, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
- ^ "Shania show reshapes equestrian park". Ottawa Citizen. June 11, 2015.
- ^ "Ottawa National Horse Show". Retrieved April 4, 2016.
- ^ "Ottawa International Horse Show". Retrieved April 4, 2016.
External links[edit]
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