Products Mart OKs arena purchase

By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Southeastern Arena at Priceville will soon have a new owner.
The State Products Mart Authority reached an agreement with the Racking Horse Breeders Association to purchase the 118-acre facility last Friday during the Racking Horse World Celebration.
Terms of the agreement are that Products Mart will pay $650,000 for the property at the closing of the deal, which is anticipated by Jan. 1, 2010. In addition, it agreed to spend $150,000 to build a warm-up arena. The current owner will pay $30,000 a year to rent the property for four separate weeks in a year over the next five years.
The move was made after the Morgan County Commission agreed to appoint a five-member Public Park and Recreation Board to manage the property at its last regular meeting. The board will have a member representing each one of the county’s four commission districts in addition to an at-large member. In addition to managing the arena, they will have the authority to appoint an advisory committee.
“I think this is a good move for the people of Morgan County and the Racking Horse Breeders Association.” Monroe said.