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Public to review planned St. James Farm riding area improvements

Residents can get a rare look later this month inside one of the buildings at the historic St. James Farm Forest Preserve.

The DuPage County Forest Preserve District is planning to renovate and expand an indoor riding arena at the preserve near Warrenville.

On Jan. 30, the district is sponsoring an open house to give the public the chance to review the proposed improvements for the facility. The open house is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon inside the arena.

"We welcome input from DuPage County residents and preserve patrons on how best to use this facility," forest preserve President Joe Cantore said. "Our intent is to keep the spirit of the property's equestrian heritage at the preserve, and additional insight will help us shape this facility's function."

The forest preserve district bought St. James Farm from philanthropist and conservationist Brooks McCormick in 2000 for $43 million. The district took possession of the roughly 600-acre property along Winfield Road after McCormick's death in 2006.

While the property is open to forest preserve users, residents aren't yet able to spend time inside the site's buildings, including the 13,000-square-foot indoor horse arena.

The goal of the improvements is to eventually open the arena to the public.

Visitors during the Jan. 30 open house will be able to review proposed improvements and designs that will bring the building up to code and allow it to be used for equestrian and other recreational activities.

District staff and design consultants will be on hand to answer questions.

According to the district, tentative plans for the arena call for upgrading the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, electrical and lighting systems; adding restrooms, fire alarms, sprinklers, emergency lights and signs, and bleachers; and modifying doors, windows and skylights.

In addition to the open house, the project designs will be available online at dupageforest.org between Jan. 29 and Feb. 29.

Built in 1969, the arena was used mostly for horse riding and training during inclement weather. However, forest preserve officials are going to consider design options that would make it possible for the structure to be used for more than just equestrian activities.

For example, the structure could end up being used for archery classes, native plant sales, day camps, trade shows and banquets.

The construction and renovations are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017.

Anyone attending the Jan. 30 open house should park at the preserve's main lot along Winfield Road, just north of Butterfield Road.

For more information, call the district's planning department at (630) 933-7237.

  The DuPage County Forest Preserve District is planning to renovate and expand an indoor riding arena at St. James Farm near Warrenville. Scott Sanders/ssanders@dailyherald.com
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