POTENTIALLY, a $50 million to $80 million equestrian facility being proposed for the Lewis County area could be a huge boon to the local economy.
Project promoter Larry Hewitt told The Chronicle's Robin McGinnis the center could include a 7,500-seat indoor arena, a smaller warm-up area and/or show arena, livestock barns, an exhibition hall, a retail kiosk and a theme restaurant.
Hewitt's organization has received a $15,000 grant to pay for a study aimed at sorting out site options and economic benefits of the center, which, Hewitt said, would require 50 to 80 acres.
It would be a good idea if some of that money went into taking a long, hard look at the feasibility of one possible site Hewitt mentioned: the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.
On the surface, that may appear to be a natural pairing. The fairgrounds are centrally located and easily accessible, even now that the state has ditched plans to build a new freeway interchange just to the west.
Any number of horse-related activities take place at the fairgrounds now, and stalls are on the grounds. The long-abandoned Twin City Drive In theater sits just north of the fairgrounds, seemingly an attractive site for just such a development.
But the truth is that until meaningful flood control measures are put into effect, it would be better to look elsewhere for a site on which to erect an equestrian center.
The fairgrounds have flooded in the past, more than once, and serious damage has taken place. Very little of significance has taken place to deter a recurrence. Essentially, when heavy winter rainfall hits, the fairgrounds, and neighboring areas, are a lake just waiting to happen. That's an unhappy reality, but it is a reality.
Better, then, to seek higher, drier ground for the horses and their human friends. The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis and Great Wolf Resorts are teaming up on what promises to be a first-class water park at Grand Mound. An impromptu, seasonal equine imitation at the fairgrounds would be a mistake.
RARELY DOES an attorney cite an inability to cooperate as a legal defense, but that appears to be Lewis County's strategy in fighting a racial discrimination lawsuit lodged by Eugene and Susan Beauregard, who maintain county officials have treated them unfairly in their effort to develop property outside Pe Ell.
Not so, said Michael Golden, deputy prosecutor, and, his supporters hope, prosecutor-in-waiting.
At Monday's Lewis County Commission meeting in Chehalis, Golden, for all intents and purposes, implied county leaders aren't capable of engaging in such a conspiracy.
"What (Eugene Beauregard) fails to realize is the county can't work that well together even when it's in our best interest to do so," Golden said, as reported by The Chronicle's Erik Olson.
Well, as they like to say in the legal system, let the evidence speak for itself.
THE COMMUNITY'S hopes and prayers are with the Fairhart family of Morton, several members of which, as of Tuesday evening, were unable to get out of war-ravaged Beirut, Lebanon.
And thanks go to George and Mike Fairhart, who consented to talk with The Chronicle's Sharyn L. Decker about the family's plight.
It is true that in many ways, this is a private family matter. Anyone should be able to understand and sympathize with the Fairharts' anxiety.
It is also true that the Fairharts are well-known, well-respected members of the East Lewis County community. With their openness, George and Mike Fairhart did their friends and neighbors a great service during a difficult time. For that, we are grateful.
Today's world is a small one, and the Fairharts' story is an excellent illustration of how international events are deeply felt right here at home.
Gordon MacCracken is assistant editor of The Chronicle. His column appears each Wednesday. He may be reached at 807-8234, or by e-mail at gmaccracken@chronline.com.
