The Blue Mountains is hoping to become part of a Canadian bid for the 2015 Pan-Am Games.
The town has backed a bid to host the equestrian events.
The Thornbury Horse Park — owned by Cedar Run Corporation — is one of three equestrian facilities being considered for the Ontario bid.
Toronto would be the official host city, but events would take place at venues spread across central Ontario.
The other venues have all been decided, but the organizing committee has to choose between facilities at Guelph, Palgrave and The Blue Mountains as the equestrian venue.
Work on the Horse Park started about two years ago and Cedar Run President Peter Lush says the facility is about 70 per cent complete.
Cedar Run’s oft-stated goal is to create the best equestrian centre in eastern Canada, a rival to the Spruce Meadows facility in Alberta.
The Horse Park will have three show rings, stables for about 250 horses, warm-up and grooming facilities, and a residential-commercial component for humans.
The federal and provincial governments have committed to fund 56 per cent of the costs of the 2015 Pan-Am Games if the Canadian bid is successful.
The costs of the equestrian portion of the Games would be around 4.25 million dollars, Cedar Run would cover the local costs at about 1.87 million.
Pan Am Games rules require municipalities, not private corporations, to serve as hosts.
The Blue Mountains council wanted assurances the town’s ratepayers won’t be on the hook for the costs.
Lush assured council his group has the financing in place, and can use about 8 million dollars in equity in their property to ensure the funds will be in place.
The bid has support from The Blue Mountains Chamber of Commerce.
About five thousand athletes from 42 countries would compete in the Games.
Lima, Peru, and Bogota, Colombia are also bidding for the 2015 Games.
A decision on the winning bid will be made in November.