The Veskimetsa Equestrian Center was completed in the 1990s. The roof leaks, and the water has damaged both the walls and the ceiling.
Peeter Solman, who manages the Veskimetsa stable, says that the buildings are old and need renovation. The city owns 10 hectares of land and the buildings. They are maintained by OÜ Veskimetsa Stable, which belongs to the Tallinn Equestrian School Foundation.
Peeter Solman is the husband of Riina Solman and is a member of the board of both organizations. He does all the work at the stable himself: feeding the horses, cleaning, repairing, and painting. The stable does not receive support from the city and pays rent to the city.
The stable is frequented by over 100 children and has 50 horses. The former deputy mayor Kaarel Oja said that the equestrian base needs renovation, but other sports facilities need it more.
The coalition agreement prioritizes other facilities over Veskimetsa. Oja said that the equestrian base should not be the top priority.
The company RS Consult, owned by Riina Solman and Peeter Solman, received €18,000 from Veskimetsa Stable for consulting services. Riina Solman said that decisions regarding the equestrian center are not personally related to her.
Tiit Terik, a representative of the Center Party, said that the Center Party supported the renovation of the equestrian base even when Isamaa was in opposition. He believes that the city of Tallinn should maintain its property in good condition.
Maris Lauri, a representative of the Reform Party, said that the situation smells bad. Peeter Solman does not know how much a new roof will cost or whether the city will provide the money.