Alan wrote on Aug 20, 2007 8:28 AM:C'mon Mr. Perkins to say," horse people are for the few with enough money" followed by "but still have to pay for in higher property costs due to less land available because of open spaces" is completly false and misleading. I wish the Hockey folks would stop "Mine is a better choice than yours" attitude. In fact, I've seen an Equestrian center serve more than one venue also. The fact is we need both an equestrian facility and hockey arena. The more for our children and residents, the better. Both sides are correct when they argue not everyone rides horses or plays hockey. However, if we had facilities like these think of how many kids would. Stop the mud slinging your arguments could be made for just about any youth funtion!

GEEZ Again! wrote on Aug 20, 2007 9:52 AM:OMG! why does it have to be either a hockey rink or a horse arena? Why can't these MEN figure out a way to compromise so that both facilities can exist harmoniously? FACT: Temecula has 3 hockey rinks that SIT EMPTY every day. FACT: Hockey clubs died in Temecula because of dirty politics and poor organization. THERE IS NO NEED FOR 4 hockey rinks! Two would be more than sufficient! Contrary to the posts, horse shows are big money and don't suffer from the same dirty politics that the hockey teams do. Perhaps these MEN have a problem with horse arenas because it is primarily a FEMALE sport during the tweens and teens phase of growing up, where as hockey is primarily a boy's sport. C'mon guys quit being greedy and share!

Huh? wrote on Aug 20, 2007 9:53 AM:Mr. Perkins - Since when is horseback riding not considered a sport? I believe that there are numerous equestrian events in the olympics. Check your facts before making such an absurd reach in your argument.

American woman wrote on Aug 20, 2007 11:32 AM:A well-organized equestrian venue could generate a lot of $$$. I agree that any multi-sports facility should consider as many different activities as possible, but if a hockey rink isn't a priority, there are many other considerations. I'd be willing to bet an equestrian facility would get the most use...not to speak of the popularity it would have if HORSE SHOWS were incorporated into the mix. There are more horses in the area than a lot of folks think, unless the facility would be open ONLY to Murrieta equines...THAT would make a difference, for sure. NOTE: Horses don't "leave anything behind" that can't be handled with a pitchfork...or on a larger scale, a tractor...also, if spread around and allowed to dry, horse manure makes a great soil amendment. It all sounds like a great idea, but as with any successful endeavor, EXPERTS are needed in the planning and design of such facilities. To pick your sports, why not run a newspaper poll to see what the "locals" are most interested in? Put out the word to Murrieta households to attend a certain City Hall or Special Town Hall meeting where their input will be very important to how the facility comes together, and what it has to offer.

American Mike wrote on Aug 20, 2007 7:28 PM:And off road motorcycles are not going to be included because why? Oh, yes, I remember. Cities such as Murrieta had them outlawed. I’m not anti equestrian. Both horseman and motorcycles alike share the trails where I live. Mr. Perkins, I'll agree with you, but won't blame it on equestrians as a whole, I'll just blame it in general on snobbery, and the fact that cities such as this have constrained the population through over development as to have sides fighting over who gets to do what on a particular day. There is time enough for me to go on a ride this evening. Think I'll go watch the kids in the skate park, drop by the baseball fields to watch the co-ed game, pet the horse that's tie to the bleachers, grab an icecream cone, then a quick romp through the trails back home. It use to be like that when there was only Temecula. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

tony wrote on Aug 20, 2007 8:57 PM:When are people going to understand MULTIPLE USE FACILITY.. Hockey is ONE of the uses it will bring. Mud-slinging is brought on by the uninformed. This facility will house concerts, graduations, car-shows, multi sport tournaments, even allow the city to host it's own buisness fair-Novel idea isn't it. This is about the community and it's people. Quit trying to make it a us against them scenario. Get to the community meetings, get informed and educated to what the Arena is all about. My kid's already play hockey for other town's travel teams,so I have zero vested interest. THis is what YOU need. It's about time we get with the program, because if we don't, it's gonna be in Wildomar or Temecula , and we'll be sitting around looking the fools! Horses are great and you can go to one of the many in the area to enjoy the shows and what a equestrian center provides, but to have a state of the art facility run in our city, no cost to taxpayers and generate income to the city is a NO BRAINER. Stop the non sense and educate yourself, it's worth your time!