Investor group plans equestrian center near Republic

Last edited 10:05 a.m., Dec. 29, 2011

A group of investors on Dec. 19 filed plans with the city of Republic to build a 1,200-acre equestrian center near Interstate 44 and Missouri Highway 60.

The center is proposed for land north of Republic by an investor group working under the name Eclipse Event Center LLC, said Tim Chancellor, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker HomeTeam Realty in Branson. Chancellor, who brokered the deal for the investors, said he is not a part of the investor group and declined to provide the names of those involved.

The group initially had been looking to build the center on 477 acres south of Rogersville in Christian County, but pulled those plans in April, Chancellor said, citing challenges with sewer treatment and roadways.

"This new location is a lot better for the project," Chancellor added.

According to Republic Planning and Development Director Gail Noggle, the planned development document submitted earlier this week calls for the center to house a 15,000-seat arena; 60 cottages; manmade lakes with 64 lakefront cabins and 30 condos; a 300-room hotel; an RV park; an indoor water park; and a number of other amenities such as a spa, fitness center and indoor pools.

Noggle said the first step is an annexation of about 1,000 acres to place the property within Republic city limits. She noted that the planned development document cannot be approved until the land is annexed into the city's boundaries.

A first reading and public hearing concerning the annexation of the land is scheduled for the Jan. 9 Republic City Council meeting. The second reading, she said, would be held Jan. 23.

Noggle also said the city has been in communication with myriad property owners, but further negotiations on the land and property price will be handled by the developers.[[In-content Ad]]