Olympic equestrian events at Tempel wins support

Critics of a plan to build an Olympic equestrian facility on Lake County Forest Preserve property are celebrating a decision to change venues.

The Tempel Farms equestrian complex in Old Mill Creek will host horse-riding events if the 2016 games are staged in the area, under a newly reached deal with the Chicago 2016 committee.

For environmental activists who said the events didn't belong at the Lakewood or Raven Glen forest preserves -- two sites that had been announced as leading contenders -- the venue change is thrilling news.

"I'm very happy," said Sheilah Watson, a Lake Zurich resident who criticized the forest district plan. "The forest preserves never should have been considered."

Watson, founder of a group called Preserve Lakewood Preserve, and other nature lovers claimed the construction, traffic and other factors associated with Olympic activities would harm the plants and animals at either forest preserve site. They also opposed plans to leave some Olympic structures standing after the games ended.

Jay Glenn, president of a group called Voters for Preservation, said he is pleased with the move but will continue to monitor the plans.

"We're watchful of taxpayer money being used to finance this elitist event," said Glenn, of Lake Barrington.

Forest district President Bonnie Thomson Carter, who'd wanted the district to host the events, wasn't disappointed by the decision to relocate.

"I think that it makes the bid stronger for Chicago," said Carter, of Ingleside. "And it's still in Lake County, which is one of the most important aspects of it."

The equestrian plan is contingent on Chicago being named the host city for the Olympics. Several global cities are in contention, and the winner will be announced next year.

Located on Wadsworth Road between I-94 and Hunt Club Road, the family-owned Tempel Farms was one of the first properties considered for equestrian events. Early last year, however, the Chicago 2016 group and the forest district struck a deal to hold competitions at the Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda.

Two months ago, forest district officials said the Olympic committee had reconsidered and thought the Raven Glen preserve near Antioch would be the best site for riding events. An Olympic committee spokesman declined to comment on the Raven Glen concept at that time.

The forest board planned to consider the change at a special meeting this month, but that session never materialized.

In a statement on the Tempel Farms Web site, Laurens Leffingwell Jr., grandson of Tempel Farms founder Tempel Smith, said his family recently offered the 4,000-acre site to the Olympic group.

Tempel Farms is home to the largest privately owned herd of Lipizzan horses and has hosted equestrian competitions and events. It's well-known for public Lipizzan performances.

The offer was attractive to the Olympic committee because Tempel Farms already has equestrian facilities and a "fantastic reputation," committee spokesman Patrick Sandusky said.

The public opposition to the initial plans was not a factor in the move, Sandusky said.

"We had great working relationships with the people in Lake County," he said. "We're happy that the facility is still going to be in Lake County."

Watson called Tempel Farms the best possible location for the equestrian venue. Hosting Olympic competitions isn't part of the district's protective mission, she said.

"It's been a waste of taxpayer money that they ever considered this," she said. "It's not what the taxpayers paid for."