Dec 15, 2007

Los Altos Hills approves $800K for Westwind

Funds to help repair deteriorating stables

By Melanie Carroll / Daily News Staff Writer

In recognition of the Westwind Barn's importance to the town, the Los Altos Hills City Council will spend $800,000 to rehabilitate the aging facility.

"I can't imagine Los Altos Hills without Westwind," Council Member Breene Kerr said. "If you can't imagine the town without the barn, you're compelled to fix it."

The city council's 3-1 vote Thursday night paves the way for the $1.7 million restoration work, half of which is to be financed through privately raised funds.

Applause broke out when the council approved the expenditure about 10 p.m. after much debate.

Council Member Craig Jones, who cast the dissenting vote, said "there is no other topic more troubling than Westwind Barn. ... There's a dilemma. It's really expensive. We're talking huge numbers."

Because the stables, built in the 1940s, are seismically unsafe, restoration will include "collapse-prevention" work.

"Westwind is a town treasure," longtime Westwind supporter Nancy Couperus said. "Westwind is a community asset that needs to be cared for."

Nearly a dozen riders from the local Pony Club and 4-H groups told the council how much they love Westwind.

Resident Jim Abraham, however, argued against spending so much for "this place that sucks money." He said Westwind caters to a small group of people, mostly girls who like to ride horses.

Ulli Sharma, president of Friends of Westwind, which runs the barn, said the city should be as generous to the stable as it is to its Little League fields.

The council also voted unanimously Thursday to spend $1.2 million on the city-owned Little League fields near Purissima Road.


E-mail Melanie Carroll at mcarroll@dailynewsgroup.com.