Iowa Equestrian Center success brings growing pains for Kirkwood

As the Iowa Equestrian Center at Kirkwood Community College marks its 10th anniversary, talk of expansion has begun.

Hundreds of students in Kirkwood's Agricultural Science programs use the $5.6 million facility for class each week, learning riding, horse husbandry and the business aspects of equestrian life. Each Thursday, the facility is transformed from classroom and lab into a fully equipped events facility.

Patrick Klatt, director of the center, pointed to last weekend's Great River Saddlebred Association annual benefit horse show as a good example of why some improvements may be needed.

“We have 210 permanent stalls in our stall barn, and we had 304 stalls reserved in advance,” Klatt said. “We used the student's stalls because classes are over for the semester. We also put over 50 stalls in the beef barn next door and another 30 stalls in the compost area.”

Klatt said a “wish list” for the future includes another 100 permanent stalls, expansion of the center's warm-up area and covering the facility's outdoor arena.

“When the weather is good, the horses can warm up inside, as well as outside in the arena,” Klatt said. “When it's raining or the weather is bad, it gets fairly tight for everyone trying to use the warm-up area.

“Our students could probably ride another day if we could cover the outdoor arena.”

Klatt said the majority of funding for any expansion project likely would come from corporate and other private sources. The Kirkwood Foundation paid for a $259,000 expansion last year that added two classrooms and office space.

Kirkwood President Mick Starcevich said any equestrian center expansion is unlikely to occur for at least six months.

“We are in the very preliminary stages of even thinking about an expansion,” Starcevich said. “Right now, it's a dream of what the staff at the equestrian center would like to do. We will be contacting the architects to see an estimate of what their dream will cost, and then we'll determine whether we want to move ahead or not.”

In some ways, the Iowa Equestrian Center is a victim of its success. Klatt said events are booked for just about every weekend through the end of the year.

“What makes this equestrian center work are the components that have a synergy,” he said. “It's a nice facility with everything under one roof. We work hard to keep it well-maintained, so it has a good appearance.”

Klatt said cleanliness and customer service are stressed. He added that the affiliation with Kirkwood is invaluable, as is the location.

“It's accessible from any direction, which is important for exhibitors and spectators,” Klatt said. “We also have camping facilities available, which allows horse owners to drop off their horses and then pull into a camp site right off our parking lot.”

Klatt said the Iowa Equestrian Center has a lot of repeat business.

Besides providing an educational facility for Kirkwood students, Klatt said the Iowa Equestrian Center also is responsible for a fairly substantial economic impact on the community.

“Each year, tens of thousands of exhibitors and spectators attend events here,” he said. “They spend money in the community for meals, overnight accommodations and fuel for their vehicles. “The hotels along 33rd Avenue SW and the restaurants on Edgewood Road SW near Westdale Mall are keenly aware of events at the equestrian center.”

As the Iowa Equestrian Center at Kirkwood Community College marks its 10th anniversary, talk of expansion has begun.

Hundreds of students in Kirkwood's Agricultural Science programs use the $5.6 million facility for class each week, learning riding, horse husbandry and the business aspects of equestrian life. Each Thursday, the facility is transformed from classroom and lab into a fully equipped events facility.

Patrick Klatt, director of the center, pointed to last weekend's Great River Saddlebred Association annual benefit horse show as a good example of why some improvements may be needed.

“We have 210 permanent stalls in our stall barn, and we had 304 stalls reserved in advance,” Klatt said. “We used the student's stalls because classes are over for the semester. We also put over 50 stalls in the beef barn next door and another 30 stalls in the compost area.”

Klatt said a “wish list” for the future includes another 100 permanent stalls, expansion of the center's warm-up area and covering the facility's outdoor arena.

“When the weather is good, the horses can warm up inside, as well as outside in the arena,” Klatt said. “When it's raining or the weather is bad, it gets fairly tight for everyone trying to use the warm-up area.

“Our students could probably ride another day if we could cover the outdoor arena.”

Klatt said the majority of funding for any expansion project likely would come from corporate and other private sources. The Kirkwood Foundation paid for a $259,000 expansion last year that added two classrooms and office space.

Kirkwood President Mick Starcevich said any equestrian center expansion is unlikely to occur for at least six months.

“We are in the very preliminary stages of even thinking about an expansion,” Starcevich said. “Right now, it's a dream of what the staff at the equestrian center would like to do. We will be contacting the architects to see an estimate of what their dream will cost, and then we'll determine whether we want to move ahead or not.”

In some ways, the Iowa Equestrian Center is a victim of its success. Klatt said events are booked for just about every weekend through the end of the year.

“What makes this equestrian center work are the components that have a synergy,” he said. “It's a nice facility with everything under one roof. We work hard to keep it well-maintained, so it has a good appearance.”

Klatt said cleanliness and customer service are stressed. He added that the affiliation with Kirkwood is invaluable, as is the location.

“It's accessible from any direction, which is important for exhibitors and spectators,” Klatt said. “We also have camping facilities available, which allows horse owners to drop off their horses and then pull into a camp site right off our parking lot.”

Klatt said the Iowa Equestrian Center has a lot of repeat business.

Besides providing an educational facility for Kirkwood students, Klatt said the Iowa Equestrian Center also is responsible for a fairly substantial economic impact on the community.

“Each year, tens of thousands of exhibitors and spectators attend events here,” he said. “They spend money in the community for meals, overnight accommodations and fuel for their vehicles. “The hotels along 33rd Avenue SW and the restaurants on Edgewood Road SW near Westdale Mall are keenly aware of events at the equestrian center.”