Equestrian center planning to expand
Tribune Staff Report
CULVER -- A $10 million expansion is planned at the Vaughn Equestrian Center at Culver Academies, officials announced Wednesday.
Groundbreaking will take place at 2:30 p.m. Saturday during the academies' alumni reunion weekend, and the public is invited.
Jeremy Church, academies spokesman, said the equestrian center, constructed in 1916, will be upgraded with new stables, paddocks, a second arena and equestrian learning center.
Another $10 million is being raised to endow the horsemanship facilities and programs at the school.
The Vaughn Equestrian Center currently features 100 stalls, the Black Horse Troop Lounge, offices for horsemanship instructors, and a 90-by-300-foot heated, indoor riding hall with seating for 750 spectators, Church said.Phase one of the new construction will renovate the existing riding hall, provide new stables with 10-by-12-foot box stalls for all horses, and remodel the administrative office area.
Phase two will include the construction of a new indoor arena and a new competition outdoor arena, a retrofit of the armory to include the addition of an equestrian learning center, new paddocks and new pastures.
The academies' Black Horse Troop marks its 110th anniversary this year, and the Summer Cavalry School celebrates its centennial.
The Culver Girls Academy Equestriennes observe their 25th year.