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Although the Go Mama Go arena has been hosting barrel racing events for five years without any publicized incidents, concerns about safety were brought to the Park County Commission’s …
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Although the Go Mama Go arena has been hosting barrel racing events for five years without any publicized incidents, concerns about safety were brought to the Park County Commission’s attention, prompting a request for a special use permit (SUP).
Dozens of county residents attended the May 3 hearing. The business is located 3 miles south of Powell on Road 11, and has a country road running between the venue and where participants park their vehicles and horse trailers. This created liability concerns should a person or horse be struck by oncoming traffic.
The issue was taken to the county attorney’s office, which recommended traffic-mitigation precautions. Brian Edwards, Park County engineer, said the office was particularly concerned about right-of-way traffic and recommended a traffic-control zone be set up for the area in question across from the Go Mama Go arena.
Commissioners discussed the price of implementing such a zone and asked Edwards for an estimate of what it might cost. Edwards said a minimum of $1,000 would be needed for speed-control signage, warning drivers to slow down for an event. Edwards recommended setting up a flashing-light system to ensure safety, which would be considerably more expensive.
Commissioner Lee Livingston strongly recommended placing parking on the same side of the county road as the arena to keep horses from inadvertently running across the road and being struck by oncoming traffic.
This suggestion did not go over well with the owners of Go Mama Go, Julie and Steve Thomspon. The Thompsons pointed out that the venue has no reported safety incidents during the five years the event has been operating.
“I’m not gonna give up my good farmland for parking,” said Julie Thompson.
After about 45 minutes of discussion, Commissioner Lloyd Thiel moved to approve the permit for Go Mama Go, with the requirement that signs be posted on the county road warning drivers to slow down for an event in progress, as well as language that would allow the use of chemical toilets.
Thiel amended his motion to stipulate the commission recommends erecting a fence on the opposite side of the arena, where vehicles and horse trailers park. However, it is only a recommendation — not a requirement.
The commission voted 5-0 to approve the SUP for Go Mama Go.
