The Ontario Equine Centre is a non-profit industry partnership proposing to create a world class equine facility on the 600-acre Arkell Research Station property bordering Guelph, ON.
Partners committed to making this exciting multi-use showplace happen are:
• Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society
• Equine Canada
• Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario
• Ontario Equestrian Federation
• Ontario Harness Horse Association
• Standardbred Canada
• University of Guelph
The Ontario Equine Centre will cater to both equestrian and race horse participants by offering training, sale and show facilities for all breeds and disciplines.
The site is also the proposed new home for the University of Guelph’s Equine Guelph, which will provide education avenues for all age groups. In addition, the University partnership provides a unique research cluster and incubator, with opportunities to bring research results directly to industry partners.
The horse population in south-western Ontario is currently the 4th largest of all North American regions. The OEC will further strengthen and position the industry for growth by providing office space under one roof for various equine organizations.
We project an economic stimulus to the region of more than $70 million annually, and approximately 300 jobs. We have a sustainable business plan which includes rentals for other livestock events, commercial and consumer trade shows.
The Ontario Equine Centre is a horse industry initiative, but we need the provincial government to transfer the land from the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario to the OEC corporation. This will kick-start the project and ideally we’ll break ground by fall 2010.
We welcome your questions and comments at: info@ontarioequinecentre.ca
