Centre residents may soon be able to enjoy some Western entertainment. During a recent meeting of the Centre City Council, Oliver Wright and Ivan Desindes with the Northeast Alabama Rough Riders Equine Mounted Shooters requested the council’s permission to use the old Centre Saddle Club property in the Northwood Estates area for some of their matches.

According to Wright, they also plan to reactivate the Centre Saddle Club. While making repairs and preparing for some of their events, he said, they became aware that they are in the city limits and wanted to be sure they weren’t in violation of any city laws or ordinances.

“We represent the fastest growing equine sport in the United States,” said Wright. “We are affiliated with the national and international organization of CMSA and fully sanctioned. We are not shooting firearms for real, not shooting live ammunition. We are shooting blanks and black powder just like you would with a Civil War re-enactment.

If you are familiar with the rodeo or timed events, we also have barrel racing, pole bending and other events. We will have trail rides and eventually rodeos and things like that at the location.”

Said Wright, “It didn’t occur to us we were in the city limits. We are here to ask your permission to utilize the property of Centre Saddle Club for club meetings and things of that nature.”

Wright said they spoke with Centre Police Chief ValCourtney who had “some very intense questions” regarding safety issues and that they were able to satisfy his concerns.

While the events can generate some noise, there have never been any complaints, he said.

The Saddle Club and the Roughriders, both non-profit organizations, have drawn interest from Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee and throughout the southeast, Oliver said.

“People are coming from all over,” said Wright.

The council gave the organizations permission to proceed with their plans.

Wright said they would welcome Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other groups who wish to sell concession stand items at their events as fundraisers.

“That would be something else we wouldn’t have to worry about,” said Oliver. “That is our main goal to work with the community. We want to do anything we can to help the Scout groups, fire department and others.”

In other business, the council:

-Approved declaration of vacation of a portion of Hampton Street. The petitioner is Centre First Methodist Church.

-Agreed to seek bids on a new vehicle for the fire chief