Council approves new operator for Lakewood Equestrian Center

Council approves new operator for Lakewood Equestrian Center

Published on December 11, 2024

At their Tuesday evening meeting, the Lakewood City Council approved a $15 million package of repairs and upgrades to the roofing; electrical systems; and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems of nine community buildings and city facilities.

The improvements are a key part of the city's commitment under Measure L, passed by Lakewood voters in 2020, to modernize the city's aging infrastructure and bring it up to date. After design work this winter and spring, construction will start on the first projects in the summer of 2025.

The council also approved a lease with Lakewood resident Cindy Flavin and her company Pilmore Equestrian LLC to operate the Lakewood Equestrian Center starting Jan. 1, 2025.

As part of her new LEC lease, Flavin has committed to invest at least $1.2 million in immediate LEC improvements, such as new horse stalls, repairs to barn stalls and arena upgrades. The city will also invest $150,000 in immediate improvements, focused on manure containment, trash enclosures and stormwater runoff prevention.

Over 90 horses are boarded at the LEC, with some of the owners providing lessons to the public. There is also a petting zoo, pony ride area and equine therapy operation on site.

Over 50 boarders and members of the LEC community came to the council meeting expressing support for Flavin's proposal, with several speaking in appreciation of the lease between the city and Flavin and their optimism for the future of the stables.

Earlier this year, the LEC had been at risk of closure because after several searches over a five year period, the city had been unable to find an operator willing to invest in the facility and follow the many federal, state and local regulations concerning stormwater runoff, labor and other factors in operating a horse stable on public land.

"For all of these same reasons, many publically-owned equestrian centers in our region are closing or finding it very difficult to find an operator," said City Manager Thaddeus McCormack.

In June, the City Council held a special public meeting detailing the increasing costs in city money and staff time diverted from other projects for the city itself to operate the LEC in the absence of a private operator.

At the June meeting, the council directed city staff to undertake a final effort to seek private operators for the stables. A nationwide search was carried out, with the participation of members of the LEC community. Five proposals were submitted, with the city selecting Pilmore Equestrian LLC, owned by Cindy Flavin, as the proposal with the best combination of financial capability, entrepreneurial skill and vision for the LEC.

"Flavin's energy, enthusiasm and willingness to invest in and operate the LEC gives the facility a renewed life," said City Manager Thaddeus McCormack. "It was clear the city could not continue operating it ourselves. Temporarily operating the stable for the past year has required key members of our city staff to focus away from other city duties as they gave their best efforts to keeping the LEC on a steady footing while we searched for a new operator."

"We are very pleased that we have reached an agreement with Cindy," said McCormack, "and we will work with her to have a smooth transition from our operation to hers for the benefit of the people and animals who use the facility."

The 19-acre LEC, located on Carson Street just west of the 605 Freeway, is partly on city-owned land with a parcel running down the middle of the property owned by the Southern California Edison Co. and used by the LEC under a five-year license agreement renewable at the discretion of SCE.

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• Council Recap