An annual three-day professional rodeo returned for its 28th edition this past weekend, drawing crowds to the indoor Robertsdale Arena for high-energy competition. But 10 miles south along Alabama State Route 59 sits the quieter Foley Horse Arena, where the Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation’s rodeo was held for years through 2023.
Now, the city-owned arena stands at a crossroads, raising questions in one of Alabama’s fastest-growing cities: Should Foley subsidize an alternative equestrian venue? And if so, how far should that investment go?
“Change is hard and I understand that,” Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said. “People have memories there. It’s a tough situation. I get it. It’s tough on the council.”
A Proposed Sale for Medical Development
At the center of the debate is a proposed sale of the arena property to a developer that would demolish the facility and construct a medical office complex. Local officials say the project would align with the nearby $200 million expansion of Baldwin Health.
The hospital, visible from the horse arena, serves the rapidly growing population of Foley and the broader coastal Alabama region, which draws millions of visitors annually. “The whole south Baldwin area is served by the hospital,” Hellmich said. “The average age with retirees down here has grown. The need for medical services has exploded.”
Equestrian Families Push Back
Even some members of the local equestrian community acknowledge the arena’s current location may no longer be viable. “If they need to move it, I 100 percent get that,” said Janelle Moyer of Foley, whose daughter, Crimson, has competed in horse shows for the past three years. “We are growing community. We need doctor’s offices to keep up with our residents. But our youth also need a place to compete with their sports.”
Moyer was among a number of residents who attended a recent Foley City Council meeting to voice concerns about the arena’s future, and many are petitioning the city to support a replacement facility. They have also pushed back on comments from city officials suggesting too few Foley residents use the arena, after leaders described the facility as underutilized and questioned whether it remains a wise use of taxpayer dollars.
“The city invests in pickleball fields, soccer fields, and this is no different than having a soccer field,” said Curt Langford, a Foley-area resident whose 15-year-old daughter, Avery, rides horses and frequently uses the arena. Langford, who is also organizing a horse show in Foley later this month, said the arena brings in outside spending. “It brings in people who spend money on food and on fuel,” he said. “(The arena’s users) are spending money in Foley.”
Langford said the equestrian community is not opposed to relocating the arena but wants a genuine replacement that meets its needs. “We need a spot that works,” he said. “We are getting pushed out.”
City Weighs Cost of a Replacement
Hellmich said the city is working on an alternative facility, though rebuilding a comparable new arena is unlikely. He said professional rodeos are no longer part of the city’s focus, and that Foley instead wants to provide a facility for local clubs and riders. “We have small clubs using the property and we looked at re-evaluating it and moving it about four years ago,” Hellmich said. “When the analysis came in, it was going to be a multi-million dollar move. With the needs of our community … you have to be responsible to the citizens. You don’t want it to be a black hole of fiscal irresponsibility.”
Hellmich said a study on building a fully new arena came back with a projected cost ranging from $5 million to $10 million, while a more limited alternative facility managed by the city would cost less than $225,000. The city is exploring property on Foley’s west side that could serve the equestrian community, and Hellmich said officials will also consider creating horseback riding trails within Graham Creek Nature Preserve.
Some arena users worry the city’s plans could amount to little more than fencing and a few basic improvements, falling short of a true replacement facility. “The equestrians should have a priority and be able to participate in their sports just as the other kids do,” Moyer said.
Why Not Just Use Robertsdale?
Questions also remain about why Foley should invest in a replacement facility when the Robertsdale Arena already exists a short drive north. Langford and Moyer argue that Robertsdale’s facility is often booked and can become unavailable when the adjacent Coliseum hosts events. Baldwin County’s other publicly owned horse arena is in Bay Minette, roughly a 45-minute drive each way from Foley. “Robertsdale is an option,” Langford said. “But half the time you go up there, it’s not available.”
Robertsdale Mayor Ruthie Campbell said demand for that facility comes from far beyond the equestrian community, noting that monster truck rallies, barbecue competitions and other fairground events regularly compete for the same calendar. “It gets to be a challenge here,” Campbell said. “It’s where groups come in and need it and after that, the arena has to go through a cleaning to make sure … animals can come back in. The arena will be four days out (after an event) before equestrian can come in.”
No Final Decision Yet
Hellmich emphasized that no final decision has been made about the Foley Horse Arena, and that a sale of the property has not been finalized. He said discussions about alternative facilities will likely continue before the council in the coming months. “This thing has exploded on social media,” Hellmich said, referring to the controversy surrounding the arena in recent weeks. “It has not been sold. We are discussing the possibility for medical use. We are not in the rodeo business anymore. The highest and best use is for a facility someplace else.”
Moyer believes South Baldwin County’s continued growth and the popularity of horseback riding create enough demand to support more than one facility. “We are large enough where we can have two arenas and they would both be used on a regular basis,” she said.