Rec Board Considers All Options to Keep 2023 Events at Rec Complex During Transition Pains

The Whitehall Recreation Complex Board met for their monthly meeting on Monday, April 24 and all was smooth sailing until the elephant in the room was addressed by audience members: What IS the problem between the Board and the Whitehall Saddle Club (WSC)?

“It’s crazy, I don’t understand it because you all want the same thing,” John Patritti said. “It makes me wonder what the hell is going on here.” Patritti, who was once a part of the Saddle Club added that the facility was meant for the betterment of the town and the sweat equity and items he donated to the facility were never meant to be owned by any one entity.

Audience member Mary O’Donnell was visibly upset when she noted that she helped put up the poles, just as every barrel racer she asked donated $10 for a pole for the warm-up arena.

“We need to look at ourselves in the mirror,” she said.

Whitehall Saddle Club rep Bridget Morse remained silent until her take on the situation was directly requested, both from Board members and the audience.

Morse noted that the WSC had submitted a lease proposal letter with two different options presented but had yet to hear back from the Town Council. In the letter, available to the public at the Town Hall, the WSC also detailed what equipment they believe they owned.

Town Clerk Kennedy Kleinsasser added that some of the verbiage in the proposed lease was not “legal” and WSC member Rich Johnson said terminology could be looked at and that a “sit down conversation with a cup of coffee” might do both entities the most good in making the decisions needed.

Currently, the WSC must remove themselves from the WSC clubhouse and all of their owned equipment by mid-June as their lease was terminated with 60 days' notice at the last Town Council meeting. The Board said they would work with the WSC in hopes of keeping the slated 2023 summer events at the complex on the books.