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Coos County opens negotiations for new Riley Ranch motocross operator; Coos Riders to hold April event
Summary
The board authorized county staff to negotiate new lease options with Quad Cross Northwest to manage the Riley Ranch motocross facility and directed a transition plan that would allow the incumbent, Coos Riders (led by Jason Bodowick), to hold its scheduled April event and enable Quad Cross to begin staged improvements.
Coos County commissioners authorized staff to negotiate new lease options for operation of the Riley Ranch motocross facility and asked county staff and the parties to develop a transition plan that would honor an existing April event organized by Coos Riders.
The discussion began when commissioners described an inquiry from Quad Cross Northwest — represented by Chuck and DeSia Woods — seeking to assume day‑to‑day management. Commissioners said Quad Cross had presented a detailed proposal and that the board wanted to avoid abruptly terminating the current operator, Coos Riders, after more than a decade of volunteer service led by Jason Bodowick. The board directed County staff, Coos Riders and Quad Cross Northwest to meet with the parks manager and county counsel to work out a phased handover and potential lease terms.
Chuck Woods, speaking for Quad Cross Northwest, said the organization had run quad and side‑by‑side events around the Pacific Northwest for several years and planned to broaden events at Riley Ranch to include quads and side‑by‑sides while continuing bike events. He emphasized improving spectator access to generate revenue but acknowledged insurance and safety constraints.
Jason Bodowick outlined 13 years of volunteer operation by Coos Riders, listing investments such as power, water, holding ponds and security fencing and noting the increasing insurance cost — which he cited as approximately $18,000 last year. Bodowick said the track was designed with roughly 20‑foot widths and watering lanes for emergency access, and he urged that the facility be preserved rather than converted to a campground.
Commissioners voted to authorize negotiations. The motion did not set final lease terms; instead it directed a near‑term meeting among Coos Riders, Quad Cross Northwest, the parks manager and county counsel to develop a transition that allows Coos Riders to hold its April event while enabling Quad Cross to undertake early improvements.
No formal lease was adopted at the meeting; the board’s action was to authorize negotiations and a transition process.
