By Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

Commissioners set a public hearing for Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. to consider creating the new equestrian village district. Commissioners will also hold a public hearing following for amendments to the White Oak development agreement.

TIEC held its last equestrian event this past weekend until the new season starts next spring. In the meantime, construction should begin on the Tryon Village, which will include condominiums, a sports complex, a hotel, treatment rooms, mixed use retail, another restaurant and a regional visitor’s center.

Sharon Decker, senior vice president for strategic initiatives for TIEC, said the first phase of the Tryon Village will begin in 2016 and is expected to be complete in 2017.

The Polk County Planning Board approved rezoning for the village on 29 acres of TIEC’s approximately 1,400 acres of property by a 4-3 vote earlier this month. The village will be located on the upper portion of the property, off Pea Ridge Road. Construction of the village will begin after the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) does road improvements, including a planned roundabout.

Decker said the village will have 90 condominiums, a sports complex with outdoor pools, indoor workout facilities and treatment rooms, including for massage. The village will also include a 175-room hotel with TIEC in conversations with Salamander to build and operate it.

The mixed retail use in the village will include specialty shops and a restaurant. Decker said TIEC also plans to construct a visitor’s center to not only promote TIEC’s facility but also promote attractions in Polk and Rutherford counties.

The village will also include a parking garage, a large green space with a water feature for the public’s use and a bike trails.

Decker said DOT plans to let the bid for road construction in early January with TIEC planning to begin construction on the village right after the first of the year.

“We are very excited about it and so thankful for the response from the community,” said Decker.

Construction for the hotel will likely be in the 2016/2017 timeframe, according to Decker.

“We think this phase of the development will be complete in the next 24-36 months,” she said.

TIEC ended its fall season last Saturday with a $127,000 grand prix competition.

Construction of the equestrian show grounds began in 2014 with shows beginning last summer. Construction plans for the equestrian portion of TIEC this winter include an additional 200 barns and enclosing the covered arena.

Next spring TIEC’s equestrian shows will continue, as well as its first Great Charity Challenge of the Carolinas next spring, which will raise money for area organizations.

TIEC is also planning two smaller equestrian shows this November as well as Christmas activities this year. TIEC’s restaurants will remain open through the winter season.

Polk County’s public hearing on the new district will be held on the second floor meeting room of the Womack building in Columbus.