RICHARD Webb wants to see Wagga embrace a muti-purpose livestock events centre that would rival Tamworth.
The professional cutting horse trainer from Illabo regularly makes the nine hour trip to Tamworth to compete.
The muti-million-dollar Australian Equine Livestock and Events Centre (AELEC) hosts many of Australia’s flagship rural and horse events.
And now Mr Webb wants to see Wagga embrace a similar centre.
He believes the timing is good and there is plenty of support from the horse and broader agricultural industry for the Equex Centre in Wagga.
“I want to promote my industry,” he said.
And despite the sheer scale of the Tamworth facility Mr Webb said the industry was now looking for alternative venues.
He said Wagga was well located, being just 20 minutes off the highway, and in close proximity to Victoria and South Australia to host an array of events.
“I see Wagga as an ideal service city for a facility like this,” he said. Mr Webb said there were countless examples of times when a muti-purpose covered facility would be beneficial. “Even last weekend I was thinking about the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) event and what an enormous set up it was, and with the wet weather it could have easily been washed out,” he said.
“If there was a roof there everyone could plan and schedule events knowing full well they can do it rain hail or shine … this city just begs for it,” he said.
“I have been going to these meetings and they keep showing us pictures but I would seriously like to see something happen,": he said.
Mr Webb said now was the time for the whole process to be thought out and some budgetary backing needed to be applied too.
He also challenged the horse and equestrian community to work together rather than supporting factions.
“The community needs to support it 100 per cent,” he said.
“It is easier to concentrate on one facility rather than three or four satellite areas,” he said.
