ResolutiontoApproveAgmt2019PFHorsePark

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PROJECT NARRATIVE ■ Prajed Description: Describe the scope of work. Indleate the major work involved, including a brief eomparhon of existing and proposed conditions. The Washington State Horse Park Authority ("the Authority") is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to develop, promote, operate, manage and maintain a first-class horse park facility in accordance with RCW 79A.30, which passed 1995. Subsequently the Authority obtained land and funding to develop the initial revenue -generating facilities for the Washington State Horse Park in Cle Elven, Kittitas County, Washington. The Park held its first event in 2010 and has been self sustaining since that time. However, its ability to satisfy current customer needs, serve a broader range of horse sport disciplines and host larger events is limited because all of its existing riding facilities are outdoors while many event organizers require protection $bm the weather. This project seeks $400,000 from the Kittitas County Distressed County Sales and Use Tag Infrastructure Improvement Program to construct a $4.9 million Covered Arena and Associated Build -Out (covered arena, not an enclosed arena) at the Washington State Horse Park for the purpose of public equine competitions and training cvents, recreational riding and other uses. Background: In 1995, the Stat legislature passed RCW 79A.30 (recedified 67.18 ) to create the Washington State Horse Park Andwrity. The legislation directed the Authority to establish "3) a first- class rstclass horse park facility in Washington to meet the important needs of the state's horse industry, attract investment, enhance recreational opportunities, and bring new exhibitors and tourists to the state from throughout the region and beyond; and 4) A unique opportunity exists to form a partnership between state, county and private interest to create a major horse park facility that will provide public recreational opportunities and statewide economic and employment benefits." Upper Kittitas County was selected as the location for the Horse Park when suitable wooded acreage was donated by Suncadia LLC for tho purpose of developing a horse park. The 112 -acre site is conveniently located off I-90 at 1202 Douglas Munro Blvd in the city of Cle Elum. This location met requirements determined by earlier studies for a horse park facility, including good highway access and a dry climate. The City took ownership of the donated property and entered into a 99 -year lease with the Authority. Legislative support continued with appropriation of $3.5 million in the 2007-2009 capital budget for Phase I construction of the Horse Park. That work included design, development, pe sitting and engineering components, as well as site clearing, road grading, utility improvements and initial arenas and stabling to begin hosting activities and generating revenues. Ground was broken in March 2010 and the first event took place in August of that year. In an Oct 12, 2009 posting on houserepublicans.wa.gov, then Rep. Judy Warnick (now Sen. Judy Warrick, 13' Legislative District) included in the list of reasons for her support: `Most of all, these facilities will help the local economy and provide much-needed jobs." This view by the legislators was reinforced in 2018 when the State Biennial Capital Budget was approved with $2.0 million in support of the WA State Horse Park Covered Arena and Associated Build -Out project. The bill passed both the House and Senate unanimously. Construction of the Horse Park has been divided into three phases. Phase I was completed when the park opened for business. Its cost of $3.5 million to develop the initial infrastructure and competition facilities was funded by the state legislature in the 2007-2009 capital budget. Phase II, which expands upon those basic amenities, has been ongoing since that time and includes acquisition of equipment, horse stalls, bleacher seating, electricity extensions, cattle pew, jumps and fencing, etc. as well as development of Wadangton State Horne Park Distrraaed County Sales and Use Tax Grant Application pg 25