Nice paddock

A horse farm and showcase facility in North Salem is in the process of receiving a multimillion-dollar renovation.

Old Salem Farm, at 190 June Road in the town, includes both renovations and new construction.

The farm hosts several equestrian shows a year, including one coming up this month that is one of the largest in the Northeast, according to the farm. Nearly 1,000 horses compete over a period of two weeks in different categories during that show.

The project includes the creation of on-site housing for staff, construction of a new building that will house the farm offices, expansion and modifications to existing building for vehicle storage and maintenance, and the upgrades, alterations and additions to the main barn, said Viktor Solarik of VKS Architects in Katonah, the firm designing the project.

“This is a substantial project,” Solarik said.

He said the new building alone was an investment by the farm owners of nearly $5 million. Solarik didn”™t have an estimate for the total cost of the renovations, but said it was a “significant” amount.

The farm is owned by the Old Salem Farm Acquisition Corp. a group based in New York City that also owns buildings there.

The main barn currently provides space for approximately 60 horses and has two indoor riding rinks.

Solarik said the facility was lacking sufficient support spaces such as wash and grooming stalls, storage, offices, as well as adequate space for boarders.

The new additions and alterations provide for new wash and grooming stalls, new tack rooms, toilet facilities, offices for farm management, boarders”™ lounge with a bar, private gym, catering kitchen, large viewing lounge for visitors, new apartment for the farm manager as well as additional stalls to house up to 70 horses, he said.

The grounds of the farm are being reconfigured as well. New surfacing is being implemented in the competition rinks and the site is being reconfigured for new tents, which are providing horse stalls during this month”™s equestrian show, he said.

Additional improvements include a new parking lot, storm drainage system upgrades, new underground sewage treatment facility, new water wells and a new compost area, he said.

“This is a big farm in the horse community,” said Solarik, adding that it hosts around 25 equestrian shows per year.