Horse arena group earns nonprofit status

Thunderbird Arena Community Council, the volunteer group committed to restoring the arena and surrounding area, began the year by officially being designated a nonprofit organization.

Chelli Sage, one of the group’s founders, knows overcoming that administrative hurdle was just one of many steps on a long road. Or, as Sage put it, there’s a “long, long way to go.”

Still, TACC, which now has 93 paid members — and the arena at 12365 N. Ralston Road — has come a long way since it began in August.

“Before TACC came in, the arena was on its way to being leveled,” Sage said. “It wasn’t safe anymore. It wasn’t conducive to the purpose to which it was built.”

Now, the riding area of the park is “100 percent fully functional,” Sage said.

So far, the arena has been used to lead monthly gymkhanas, with free horsemanship clinics beforehand, an arena obstacle course challenge, a four-event gymkhana and, on Memorial Day weekend, the newly formed mounted drill team gave its first performance.

Although the organization is focusing its efforts on the arena, TACC members would like to see the entire area turned into a community outdoor recreational area.

“TACC isn’t just about the equestrian,” Sage said. “We’re only starting with the horses because that’s everything we know. We have the arena; we have the framework in place.”

“This is about creating a park that has outdoor activities above and beyond the typical swing sets (and) soccer,” Sage said.

Land could be used for BMX bicyclists, dog-agility events and other activities suited to rural areas.

This fall, TACC is planning to host mounted shooting events and more cattle sorting and trail events.

The arena is owned by Pinal County. The county, strapped for cash like the rest of the state, was unable to pay for the necessary repairs and upkeep. Copper thieves exacerbated general maintenance.

“Last year, we were actually threatened that we were going to lose the arena,” Sage said.

“At one point, (the county) came and the arena was locked up; nobody could use it.”

“We’ve been encouraging them,” said Pinal County Assistant Manager Manny Gonzalez. “It’s a much-needed amenity.”

“Their effort has been nothing short of stellar,” said Pinal County Supervisor David Snider. “This is a neighborhood organization that put a lot of sweat equity, enthusiasm and passion in taking an underused arena and making it functional.”

Gonzalez said the Thunderbird Arena ultimately could be similar to the county fairgrounds, which also are owned by the county but managed by a local community organization.