Activists celebrate venue change in Olympics plan

Critics of a proposed Olympic equestrian facility at Lake County Forest Preserve sites 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 Chicago 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 was highly critical of the forest district plan. "The forest preserves never should have been considered."

Watson 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.

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

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

The equestrian proposal 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, officials have said. Last year, however, the Chicago 2016 group and the forest district struck a deal to hold competitions at the Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda.

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

Tempel Farms will provide the "perfect setting" for equestrian events, Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO Pat Ryan said in a news release.

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