Bold plans to build an indoor, state-of-the-art equestrian centre at Kendall have received a setback after not being successful in state government funding.
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The proposed undercover riding and stable facilities is expected to be housed at the Camden Haven Show Society's existing land on Batar Creek Road.
Stage 1 of the project has an estimated cost of just over $5.5 million and the Show Society committee have been working tirelessly with stakeholders and government organisations to make it happen.
President of the Show Society, Sean Gleeson, said despite the setback in funding the committee were more committed than ever before.
"Sure not getting funding this time around was hard to take especially when the feedback from our application showed we had done everything right," Mr Gleeson said.
"But that is certainly not stopping us moving forward. We have been in talks with political representatives at a state and federal level along with other key stakeholders to see what we can do to get funding."
The proposed centre would have 100 state-of-the-art stables to provide protection from the weather elements for both animals and humans.
The centre has been a vision for the Society for many years and Mr Gleeson said he was still optimistic that it might come to fruition.
"We believe that an equestrian centre in Kendall can put us on the map. We are literally five minutes from the Pacific Highway which connects Brisbane to Sydney and just over the ranges we have Tamworth and beyond," he said.
"We've done extensive research over a long period of time and had input at each step of the way regarding the plans.
"We are still very positive that we will see an equestrian centre in the Camden Haven because the possibilities for the facility are endless.
"Of course we would be able to host major horse events but we could also host other animal or community events in the undercover area."
He said the long term economic effect for the Port Macquarie-Hastings region would also be great.
"The flow on economic effect for the region also has the potential to be quite significant. When the centre is built we could have lots of people coming from all over the state or country to compete in Kendall.
"This is certainly not the end and we are exploring all our options to see what we can do to get this centre off the ground."
