NEWS BRIEFS

The United States Polo Association announced Thursday, June 9 that it had purchased the core assets of the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. The USPA has acquired 161 acres from Wellington Equestrian Partners, including fields 1 through 5, the IPC grandstand, the Pavilion, the Mallet Grille, the Seventh Chukker, the USPA Clubhouse shop, the Outback field, the Outback facility, and the IPC social club and its facilities, including the swimming pool, gym and tennis courts.

The IPC property now will be called “The USPA National Polo Center-Wellington” or NPC.

The purchase brings to life the USPA Board of Governors’ vision of a USPA-owned “Sunday Field” that will serve as the permanent center of polo in America and set the standard for excellence in polo. That vision has long been articulated by USPA Chairman Stewart Armstrong.

Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners and Wellington’s largest private landowner, believes that the sale is a good fit for the Wellington community.

“The sale of IPC to the USPA is part of our ‘Wellington 3.0’ strategy, which is focused on strengthening both the equestrian venues and the core lifestyle elements that are critical for Wellington’s long-term success,” Bellissimo said. “We chose the USPA over competing offers and real estate development strategies to ensure that this fundamental pillar of the Wellington equestrian domain will be here for the next 100 years. I was inspired by Stewart Armstrong’s vision and believe that the USPA has the commitment and resources to take this venue and the sport of polo to the next level, which is a win for all involved.”

The USPA will continue to host the Gauntlet of Polo at NPC, but it will also use the facility to support polo played at the medium- and low-goal levels. The USPA intends to keep substantially all the current IPC staff in place. Tim Gannon, co-founder of Outback Steakhouse and three-time winner of the U.S. Open Polo Championship, will serve as chairman of a newly formed USPA subsidiary created to revitalize the social club and hospitality facilities.

With its ownership of the National Polo Center, the USPA has secured a perpetual home for polo in America, and follows a model already in use by the Asociación Argentina de Polo (AAP). NPC in Wellington will serve the same function that the AAP-controlled Palermo fields and AAP-owned Pilar fields do in Argentina. In short, the facility will enable the USPA to showcase its tournaments, develop American players, and sustain an environment that will retain and attract new players and sponsors at every level. It will also secure the future of winter and spring polo in South Florida, which many of the sport’s key participants from throughout the country rely on as a major source of the annual income that allows them to participate in polo at their summer and fall club locations.

Through its use of NPC, the USPA aims to promote excellence as the goal for all who play polo in America. The USPA is confident that continuing to strive for excellence will lead to even greater demand for polo. According to USPA officials, excellence means many things — among them are first-rate facilities to present the sport in the best light, intelligent rules, fair handicapping, quality umpiring and a level playing field for all. It inspires both amateurs and professionals to be their best and play with the best, and it results in an engaging experience for players and spectators.

The USPA will continue to invest in the sport of polo at its member clubs across the United States. All its current programs will continue to be funded and operated on their pre-purchase trajectories. These include the Arena Tournament Initiative, Bridge to High Goal (B2HG), Interscholastic/ Intercollegiate (I/I), the Legacy Polo Series, the National Arena Amateur Cup, the Military Incentive Program, the National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS), the Polo Development Initiative (PDI), Prize Money Matching (PMMP), the Tournament Support Program (TSP), Trophy Reimbursement, the Professional and Certified Umpires programs, USPA Livestreaming, and the Women’s Tournament Incentive Program.

Beginning this fall, with the Federation of International Polo World Championship, which will be hosted by the USPA at Valiente Polo Farm and NPC from Oct. 26 through Nov. 6, 2022, the USPA plans to open the annual Wellington polo season in October. This expansion of play dates will allow USPA member clubs in and beyond Florida to play their tournament semifinals and finals at the National Polo Center when it is not being used for the Gauntlet.

“The investment in a highprofile Sunday Field will enable the sport and brand to control our destiny for future generations,” said J. Michael Prince, president and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, which manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “With a global footprint across 190 countries, we view the Sunday Field as a unique opportunity to highlight U.S. Polo Assn.’s authentic connection to the sport and build additional global brand awareness. Additionally, this opportunity will create an epicenter of polo to promote not only high-goal events such as the Gauntlet of Polo, but also other best-in-class opportunities at all levels, supporting key polo competitions and demographics, such as international, low-goal, medium-goal, women’s, intercollegiate, interscholastic, youth and many others.”

Wellington Village Manager Jim Barnes is enthusiastic about the USPA expanding its footprint in the village.

“Wellington welcomes the USPA’s purchase of the former IPC facility and the establishment of the National Polo Center, which will ensure polo’s permanent and important presence in the village for the mutual benefit of the polo community and village residents,” Barnes said.

Widely regarded as the winter hub of world-class equestrian competition, Wellington has played a critical role in the development of the sport of polo in the United States and abroad since the 1970s. Every January through April, the Florida high-goal season attracts the world’s top polo organizations, highest-rated professionals and top horses. South Florida is the home of the USPA and USPA Global Licensing, as well as the Museum of Polo & Hall of Fame and the Polo Training Foundation.

USPA Chairman Stewart Armstrong and Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners, sign the contract for the USPA to purchase the core assets of the International Polo Club.

RPB YOUNG AT HEART CLUB CONCLUDES SEASON WITH PATRIOTIC LUNCHEON

Royal Palm Beach’s Young at Heart Club held its final luncheon of the season on Friday, June 3 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center featuring red, white and blue decorations in honor of Flag Day. Board members were sworn in by Vice Mayor Selena Samios, and Richard Frank sang oldies to entertain the crowd. The next YAH luncheon is scheduled for Oct 7.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Adell Marlatt, Kevin Foster, Gretchen Lugo, Ann Lungi, Lee Messina and Sandy Rubin have fun with a kick line. Musician Richard Frank with Marie Sainfield.

Young at Heart Secretary Francine Bryant, Vice President Mary Ellen Paulton and President Sandy Rubin get sworn in by Vice Mayor Selena Samios. Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Mike Mikolaichik, Senior Programs Supervisor Shakeera Thomas and Parks & Recreation Director Lou Recchio. Ann Lungi and Richard Frank.

Mary Hazell, Dolly Hughes, Bella Wissing and Iri Tatur. Decorating Committee members Lee Messina, Colette Cardinale and Maryann Robinson. Patty McFarland, Barbara Searls and Jenny Lopez. Ed Sanders, Ronni Kaplan, Shakeera Thomas and Helene Bloom.

Westlake Invites The Public To FourthFest Event

The City of Westlake invites the public to a free fun family day on Monday, July 4. The inaugural FourthFest event welcomes both residents of Westlake as well as neighbors from surrounding communities to join in celebrating Independence Day.

A fun-filled day is planned and begins at 3 p.m. Entertainment and music groups will be performing throughout the day and start at 4 p.m. The evening will end with a dazzling display by Zambelli Fireworks that will light up the sky. Enjoy the reggae and tropical rock vibes of Alexander Star & the Golden People as they headline the musical stage produced by Mike Sipe Entertainment.

Don’t forget your appetite, as various food truck options will be available. Bring the kids to come to play and have fun in the kid zone filled with games, bounce house, slides, and other children’s activities. Admission and parking are free.

“We are so happy to host the first of many FourthFests. I welcome our residents and our neighbors from nearby communities to join us for a fun-filled day for the whole family,” Westlake Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor said. “Make sure to come out early and enjoy the kid zone, food trucks, and other entertainment before the fireworks spectacular begins.”

Westlake thanks presenting sponsors Minto and the ER at Westlake. FourthFest is also made possible in part by Zeus World, Konover South, FPL, Lewis Longman & Walker, Cotleur & Hearing, Chen Moore & Associates, Okeechobee Steakhouse, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation/FPU, Inspire Realty and Luxury Management, Orangetheory, Superior Surfaces, X-Gen Environmental Pest Control, Exit Realtors, the Health Agents, Santana Real Estate, Tropical Springs Realty & Lifestyle, GoGreen Dry Cleaners and Ryan Jennings Group.

For more information about FourthFest and event updates, visit www.westlakegov.com/community/page/city-westlake-fourthfest. Follow the City of Westlake and participate in the excitement on social media at www.facebook. com/Westlake33470.

American Legion Blood Drive July 2 In Wellington

The community is invited to join in a blood drive hosted by Wellington’s American Legion Post 390 at the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) on Saturday, July 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and birthing center in Royal Palm Beach, invites the public to an open house on Thursday, June 23 from 5 to 7 p.m.

The facility is located at 1490 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Its goal is to give every expecting mother the most natural, caring and safe experience possible with the belief that birth is a family event.

Gentle Birth Center supports the decisions of local mothers to choose how and where they give birth. The facility also offers many concierge services, such as water tub births, facials, prenatal massages, yoga, IV vitamin therapy and more.

The June 23 open house will include tours, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Stop by or call to schedule a tour. For more info., call (561) 635-3311 or visit www. gentlebirth.net.

NEWS BRIEFS

PBC Library Card Is Your Pass To Adventure At State Parks

The Palm Beach County Library System is partnering with the State Library of Florida and Florida State Parks to provide access to the Real Florida Reader Day Pass for members.

With the Real Florida Reader Day Pass, residents may continue their learning adventure while enjoying time exploring new places. For an extra challenge, the library invites everyone to check out a book about Florida’s wildlife and natural resources to identify the flora, fauna or habitats seen at the park.

With your library card, check out the Real Florida Reader Day Pass that provides free park admission to Florida’s state parks.

The pass will provide access to 175 state parks. It will not provide access to Ellie Schiller Homasassa Springs, Skyway Fishing Pier and Weekie Wachee Springs state parks. This pass also does not provide access to any local, municipal, county or federal parks.

The pass provides access for one vehicle with up to eight people in the vehicle. The pass will not exempt the user from any ancillary fees associated with the park. This pass program ends on Sept. 12.

Real Florida Reader Day Pass may be checked out for 14 days, and no more than one pass may be checked out on each library card at a time. The pass is not renewable.

You can place a hold on the pass from the library’s web catalog at www.pbclibrary.org and enter “The Real Florida Reader” in the search box, then click the “Place Hold” button. For more information about the program, visit www.floridastateparks.org/ realfloridareader. join the 2022 Summer Reading Program: Oceans of Possibilities.

The aim is to get Palm Beach County reading during the hot summer months. Readers of all ages are invited to get in on the fun and share their progress for a chance to win a prize. Sign up online or at any Palm Beach County Library System location from Monday, June 6 through Friday, July 29.

Pick up a Little Learners log or bingo card, available at one of the service desks and receive a Wendy’s coupon for one free Junior Frosty. Read and participate in activities to complete your log or bingo card.

Once completed, return your log or bingo card to receive the following prizes: • Little Learners (ages 0-4) — A rubber crab. • Kids (ages 5-11) — A clownfish backpack. • Teens & Adults (ages 12-plus) — A beach mat and a Wendy’s coupon for one free four-piece chicken nuggets and one free Kids meal with any purchase.

A completed log or bingo card also qualifies for one grand-prize drawing entry of a sand and water table summer beach toy for Little Learners and a $50 Amazon e-gift card for Adults, Kids and Teens.

All prizes are while supplies last, so get started early. Grand prize winners will be selected after Friday, July 29.

Spread the joy of reading and interact with all of the services that the Palm Beach County Library System has to offer. Visit www. pbclibrary.org/srp2022 for a listing of summer events and activities.

PBC Offering Accessibility Awareness Grants

The Palm Beach County Office of Equal Opportunity is seeking proposals from qualified agencies to improve accessibility and equal opportunity and promote or increase awareness of the rights and ambitions of people with disabilities.

The Handicap Accessibility and Awareness Grant Program will improve accessibility and increase awareness for the approximately 99,000 disabled people living in Palm Beach County. There is $30,000 that is proposed to be slated for funding. The grant program will enable any nonprofit status agency within Palm Beach County that provides service to people with disabilities to apply for funding to improve accessibility and equal opportunity and/ or increase public awareness for persons with disabilities.

The proposals will be reviewed through the Palm Beach County Office of Equal Opportunity and must meet program, application and grant criteria. The deadline for submission is Aug. 18 by 4 p.m.

To get an application, and more information, visit www.pbcgov. com/equalopportunity or contact Pamela Guerrier at (561) 355-4884 or pguerrie@pbcgov.org.