By Eliza Ridgeway

In a bid to involve more residents at Westwind Barn, the Los Altos Hills City Council is revamping its plans for the town’s Year-Round Riding Program, and for managing the barn and its activities.

Last summer the state approved a requested parks and recreation grant for $153,590, earmarked as a stalls and paddocks project for the riding program. In a change of plans at its Nov. 3 meeting, the city council agreed to request a revised grant to use the park bond money to construct a third arena at Westwind, expressly for the town riding program.

According to City Manager Maureen Cassingham, a 60-by-120-foot arena could be built for less than $100,000, and would take six to eight months to complete after approval. The cost of covering the arena, expensive because of the size and design demands of a roof without posts, was estimated at $175,000.

In its first three years, the riding program has relied heavily on volunteers and borrowed horses, a tenuous situation that led to the program’s summer hiatus.

The children’s riding program with full enrollment has resumed and a series of four new adult classes began Monday. The purchase of four town horses for the program this autumn, as well as the planned allocation of park funds, may contribute to increased success.

“I really want that arena, to be honest,” said Jane Kawasaki, program director.

She said the poor drainage of the proposed area could be countered with such measures as peripheral drainage pipes and an improved grade.

The new cell tower at Westwind may bring additional funding to the barn.

Mayor Breene Kerr said, “It’s fair to say that we might take the opportunity to make additional investments at Westwind now that we can expect to have additional income.”

Supporters of Westwind Barn has raised $200,000 for further site improvements.

Thursday’s council meeting will revisit the debate on the administration of the barn.