It’s pretty clear that a community truly cares for and values its local Standardbred training facility when the village dips into its savings for six figures in order to purchase a new water truck.
That being said, there is something special about the Pinehurst Harness Track in North Carolina. The picturesque facility, which is owned by the municipality, sees roughly 200 horses train over its three tracks for a six-month period that kicks off in October. Horsepeople rave about the Pinehurst, and rightfully so.
There are many beautiful sights at the training centre. Although it has been effective for the last 10 years, it is safe to say that the garbage-truck-turned-water-truck that is currently used at the facility isn’t the prettiest. And it’s on its last legs, to boot.
Pinehurst Parks and Recreation Director Mark Wagner has said that the village got 20 years out of the truck’s chassis, which was first used to help haul garbage for the first 10 years of its life. The water tank itself was pretty rusted. Rather than run the risk of having the water truck break down when it is needed most, village council has decided to allocate $185,000 from its reserve fund to purchase a new water truck.
Wagner told council last week that “if the truck goes down during the middle of the season, we’re in trouble.”
Understanding the significance of the training centre to the local community, Pinehurst Mayor Nancy Fiorillo backed the decision.
“There is a lot of work that is going on. It is such an economic boost to our area. It really adds to the Pinehurst and Moore County economy. We do have something special here with our harness track and we want to keep it special,” Mayor Fiorillo was quoted as saying. “Few communities actually own a harness track where there is active training that goes on for part of the year.”
“We need our Band-Aids (on the truck, figuratively) to hold on a few more months,” Wagner said. “Right now, the holes are patched. It is holding on. But that doesn’t mean other holes aren’t going to open up.”
Wagner has stated that the village will have to seek bids on a new truck, and that it is estimated that it would take six to eight weeks to get a new water truck built.
(With files from The Pilot)
