About
In the Fall of 2022, the District of Summerland began a master planning process for the Summerland Rodeo Grounds (SRG). This process involved public consultation meetings and public surveys to determine the level and type of usage the park currently housed and what the public would like to see in the future. There was an unprecedented participation from the public consisting mostly of members of the equine community expressing a desire to maintain the historical use of the grounds which has been equine-related activities. There was some desire to increase the multi-use components of the area including a disc golf course and a mountain bike skills park. Members of our equine community felt that while these activities were an attractive addition to Summerland, opposition to locating them at the Rodeo Grounds Park was strongly voiced due to safety concerns.
When the SRG Master Plan was presented to council in the summer of 2023, the Summerland Rodeo Grounds Equine Development Committee (SRGEDC), representing the equine community, addressed council to express our safety concerns over the mix of disc golf with horses. As a result of our presentation, council determined the plan needed a closer look and referred it to the Committee of the Whole. Once reviewed at the Committee of the Whole, Council instructed District Staff to approach the SRGEDC with the idea of a lease of the grounds to turn over the operation of the grounds to us.
Negotiations ensued over the following year and an agreement was reached and approved by Summerland Council in June 2024. The lease is initially for two years and began January 1, 2025.
The SRGEDC believe that this lease is an exciting opportunity to bring the local equestrian community together and to develop the Summerland Rodeo Grounds into a dynamic equestrian facility. We look forward to working with our members and community partners to champion grassroots equestrianism in Summerland.
President Kyli Haugland signs the lease on the Summerland Rodeo Grounds on behalf of the SRGEDC
Our vision
“To create a facility and club that: consists of members of all ages, skill levels and equestrian disciplines; to have a meeting place to share our common passion for equestrian activities; foster a cohesive equine community and build a sense of pride and ownership in the management of the Summerland Rodeo Grounds.”