EQUESTRIAN CENTER MAY GET A BOOST.

Byline: Sonia Giordani Daily News Staff Writer

Struggling to keep the city's only low-cost equestrian center open, Two Winds Ranch manager Alvin Caddin hopes to get a permanent rent reduction today from his landlord, the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency.

COSCA's board of directors will vote today on a $200 monthly rent reduction, extending a temporary decision in November to lower it from $1,200 to $1,000 to help keep the ranch open to the public.

``That money will really help. Every little bit helps,'' said Caddin, who went about business as usual at the ranch Tuesday.

Caddin moved his decades-old operation from one COSCA-owned public parcel to another three years ago when plans to build the massive Dos Vientos housing development came on line.

For the two years at the new site, Caddin used a temporary electrical generator to power his answering machine and telephone service, as well as a mobile home occupied by a ranch supervisor. But when the county required Caddin to file for a new permit to hook up permanent power to the ranch, he said the cost was prohibitive. He has operated without electrical power for six months.

``Can you imagine trying to run a business and not having an answering machine? Probably 75 percent of our business is done on the phone,'' he said.

Caddin also will be required to expand a septic holding tank and do some other work and spending before he gets a permit.

COSCA officials have been meeting with county officials to assess the cost. The work and fees are expected to cost $21,300 to $30,700, according to a report released by COSCA this week.

Today, the COSCA board is expected to direct the staff to continue cooperating with Caddin's efforts to get permits.

``One of the most important things is to try to avoid any interruption in what many consider to be a very important recreational resource - to keep the doors open for boarders and for others who want a place to rent a horse and go for a ride,'' said Mark Towne, COSCA coordinator.

COSCA officials and city representatives have pledged to keep Two Winds Ranch open until the lease expires in 2000.

Caddin's facility, on a northeastern portion of Broome Ranch, is likely to remain the only low-cost, full-service equestrian center in the community until COSCA builds one planned for the old Olympia Farm site on Broome Ranch. That project is scheduled to be completed in July 2000.

``The idea is to resolve the issues relating to the temporary center and start planning for the permanent site,'' Towne said.

On Wednesday, the COSCA board will also formally vote on developing the design and building the new equestrian center at the Olympia site.

Preliminary work could begin as early as this summer - with a public workshop for comment and suggestions for programs and facilities.

COSCA's board of directors meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Board Room.