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Il PREVIOUS FEASIBILITY AND IMPACT STUDIES <br />Two categoriesof previous studies are relevant to this analysis:previous studies of the <br />need for and economic feasibility of a horse park in Washington State,and studies of <br />feasibility and impact of similar facilities in other states.The first category is particularly <br />important,because considerable effort has already been invested in data gathering as <br />to the need for such a facility in Washington State.Initially an impact study of locating <br />a state equestrian center in Lewis County was developed in 1991 by Kay Crawford and <br />Sue Roden.The study was funded by the Washington State Department of Community <br />Development.When the Lewis County site was deemed non-feasible on grounds of <br />the physical location,the horse park group \ooked to the east side of the State to take <br />advantageof the drier weather.When the Trendwest/Suncadiaproperty negotiation <br />with the Authority was completedin 1997,a second feasibility study was commissioned <br />and completed in 1998 by Richard Mack and Gary Richardson,both of the Central <br />Washington University College of Business.Each study is briefly summarized below. <br />Lewis County Study <br />The Lewis County study was comprised of four areas of primary research:surveying 37 <br />existing horse parks,surveying 59 equestrian groups,surveying 100 individual <br />equestrians,and holding public meetings to solicit local community input.From <br />calculations based upon this primary data,conclusions were reached as to:the demand <br />for a state equestriancenter,economic feasibility,the economic,employment and <br />congestionimpacts upon the local community,the design and managementof the <br />facility,and funding options.Briefly,findings of the study were that:(1)There is <br />significantdemand for a first class,fully enclosed facility;(2)In the first year 61 events <br />would take place,a number that would increase to 99 by the fifth year;(3)Attendees <br />would range from 48,900 in the first year to 80,000 -in the fifth year;(4)The horse park <br />would be economicallyfeasible on grounds of demand;even were the number of <br />14