Buffalorising has been redesigned.

As a child, I visited this place, in awe and full of dreams. As a young adult, I saw it slowly sink; literally, start to crumble. Today, the amazing facility stands in near full architectural grandeur, safe, sound, and well on its way to complete restoration. Most miraculous? This Buffalo institution consistently offers never-interrupted contributions to people?s lives, year, after year, after year.

Officially planned by William A. Alexander in 1921 as a venue for indoor polo, the facility is located on land that once hosted the 1901 Pan American Exposition?s agriculture buildings and outdoor stadiums. Opened by the Riding Realty Company in 1923 as the Buffalo Saddle and Bridle Club, the grounds enjoyed a brief heyday of play and relaxation before experiencing the drags of the stock market crash and the sadness of the great depression.

A $40,000 ?pavement? tax in the 1930s nearly brought a quick end to the place. Fortunately, like the heart of much of Buffalo, quiet, steadfast supporters buoyed it through. And, perhaps in step with today?s economic development best-practices well before its time, the club soon began to meet both private and public needs (yes, that age-old rumor that the Army occupied a portion of the space for World War II warehousing and barracks is true.)

Over the years, photos and other records show it has been the starting point for many a horse and rider. Formal lessons, children?s games, strolls along the bridal paths of Delaware Park?all were a part of the club?s portfolio of offerings. In the 1970s, I learned how to ride a horse there; and, we still made occasional forays into Delaware Park, even in the blizzards and snow.

From its conception, it was a place that birthed magic; a place where man met beast, and both gazed a bit in wonder. It was within the club?s walls that many, including myself, first learned how to work toward goals, cooperate, withstand competition, even begin to accept responsibility.

Little by little, I began to grow up there; simultaneously, the facility, unstable, in structural peril, was beginning to fall down. When I departed Buffalo for college in the 1980s, the club still had promise, the arena was still filled with hard work, but its buildings had little real strength left.

Years passed. In the 1990s, I heard note of an effort to clean up the place, to make good private and public mixed use of it again. I kept in touch. I stopped in once or twice. In 2001, 2002, I certainly could see the start of change, but couldn?t quite feel it all together yet.

A few weeks ago, on a beautiful Sunday in September, I returned?perhaps with clearer eyes and a more open heart. The once-crumbling roof, suspended 40-feet above, has been replaced. The scaly, outer-stucco building fa?ade is super smooth. The expansive, multi-story wall of once-punched-out windows stands clean and solid.

Not everything has changed. The seemingly endless, 300x190-foot, sand-layered ring seems the same. The sounds and smell of the horses and children surely still are there. A horse show?with traditions dating back to the 1940s?had just ended. People were milling about. I realized, once again, the place is enchanted.

Today, the facility is home to three separate operations:

- The Buffalo Equestrian Center, which offers horseback riding lessons to center members (a membership appears to be more of a safety and security parameter than anything exclusive)

- The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, which operates a very dedicated therapeutic riding program for the handicapped

- And, SBS Farms, one of the East Coast?s top-ranking competitive equestrian stables.

While many too numerous to be named have been involved in the history, operation, and upkeep of the hallo place, including the facility planner?s son?the late Mervyn Alexander?and his loving wife, perhaps one person in particular saw a snapshot of its grandeur, felt its soul, and knew, above all, it was worth saving.

Susan B. Schoellkopf, a horsewoman, businesswoman, and kind spirit, has strongly and painstakingly been nursing the facility, its environs, and its offerings back to health. It?s a rare feat to nurture both architecture and nature?a building, animals, and man. In a city adorned with a name that may celebrate an animal, or a beautiful river (?beau fleuve?), it seems just right.

To all involved in Buffalo?s continual rebirth, I offer you thanks.

For more information about the Amherst Street facility?s history, visit the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society Library. For more information about the facility?s current operations, check out THEBRTC.org.

Photos: queenseyes