Open house is set for Blue Mountain Equine Center
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – After more than a decade of hard work, Blue Mountain Community College will hold the official grand opening of the Blue Mountain Equine Center on April 30 from 6-7 p.m. A ribbon-cutting ceremony, open house, and self-guided tours are planned.
BMEC will serve as the new home of the Blue Mountain Community College Rodeo Team while also providing a space for students and educators to learn about agriculture and equine sciences.
“This new center is more than a building,” BMCC President Mark Browning said. “It’s an investment in our students, our programs, and a one-of-a-kind community partnership geared toward supporting regional workforce. It’s where students will gain hands-on experience, educators will expand learning opportunities, and the BMCC Rodeo Team will proudly call home.”
The Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon, the city of Pendleton, InterMountain Education Service District, Umatilla County, and the Port of Umatilla all played parts of making the center a reality. From acquiring land to lobbying for state funding, they shared a commitment to seeing the center become a reality.
Located west of the Pendleton Convention Center, the building will have another use as well.
“We’re an outdoor event community, summertime only, because of the weather, because we don’t have indoor facilities like this,” Pendleton Convention Center Director Pat Beard said. “Now, in a completely climate-controlled setting, we’ll be able to bring in all kinds of things.”
The first thing will be the Pendleton Cattle Barons Weekend May 2-3. It will move from its home in the convention center and pavilion to the Blue Mountain Equine Center, becoming its first major event.
