BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — WFTV found out a $2 million farmer's market is just about the only thing Brevard County's been able to host inside its new state-of-the-art stables at Wickham Park. WFTV asked why they can't use the stables as they originally intended.
Back in 2008, the stables sat empty for eight months while the county was trying to figure out whether to use them for horse shows or regular boarders. It's not uncommon to find horse lovers using the Equestrian Center at Wickham Park, but you won't find anyone keeping their horses there.
Almost two and a half years after $2 million tax dollars were spent on upgrades and new stables, the barns are barely used.
"They've built these barns and they sit empty. They're not leasing them out," said Melanie Atkins, former horse boarder.
A paid consultant told commissioners the county would make more money renting the stalls out a few days for horse shows than their original purpose, which is boarding horses. Only a handful of horse shows have used the facility, so the county opened it up for a farmer's market.
"It's just heartbreaking. I mean, I don't mind a flea market, I think that is sweet for the community also, but does it need to be in place of a horse barn?" Atkins said.
Mary Bolin, the commissioner for the district, refused to talk to WFTV when first questioned about their use in 2008 and didn't respond to requests for an interview on Monday. Matt Nye is running against her.
"Just the fact that you've got a farmers/flea market there shows the lack of planning or vision for that," Nye said.
The county has now hired someone to try to bring in more horse shows. Thirteen shows are planned in the next six months, but Melanie Atkins says, even then, less than 25 percent of the stalls are used. The rest could be leased out to help the Equestrian Center pay for itself.
The consultant told the county the facility will never turn a profit, but critics say the county has wasted tax money not using it to its potential.
WFTV
