Laserfiche WebLink
The land where the covered arena will be built is currently lightly wooded, sunuunded by graveled <br />parking and roadways, and has utilities (water, electric and sewer) adjacent to it. There are no <br />impediznMts to moving forward with the project once funding is secured. <br />2. Explain the specffiic mfrastructou a issues the project addresses and how they are linked to <br />economic development improvements. <br />The project is cited as a high priority strategic objective of the Kittitas County Tourism Infrastructure <br />Plan (Action 5: Recreational Tourism) and the Kittyitas County Parks and Recreation Capital <br />Improvement Plan (CIP) 201 "ee attachment. <br />A Covered Arena was identified as a key facility as early as 1991 in the fust Washington State Horse <br />Park feasibility study, which was funded by the Washington State Department of Community <br />Development. Recreation and Showing/Competition comprise 71% of US horse wage (source: AHCF <br />2005). This segment is different from the SCORP segment of equine activity, which is limited to trail <br />riding. <br />The project addresses the economic vitality that results from building infrastructure for recreational <br />tourism. Upper Nattitas County was ultimately selected as the site for the Horse Park when suitable land, <br />valued at $5 million, was donated by Suncadia. It also met the requirements detenmined by earlier studies <br />that the site have good highway access and a drier climate. With funding from the state legislature in <br />1986, the Washington State Department of Agriculture completed a study recommending the creation of <br />an eque stim center to "promote and serve the recreational hone industry in the state and provide <br />economic benefits through equine activities. (*FFEI--WSHP p.3 App ITS In 1995, the state legislature <br />passed RCW 67.18 (recodified 79A.30), to create the framework for the facility, authorizing the Horse <br />Park Authority to establish "3) a first class horse park facility in Washington to meet the important needs <br />of the state's horse industry, attract investment, enhance recreational opportunities, and bring new <br />exhibitors and tourists to the state from throughout the region and beyond; and 4) A unique <br />opportunity exists to form a partnership between state, county and private interest to create a major <br />horse park %cility that will provide public recreational opportunities and statewide economic and <br />employment benefits." <br />Washington StM Horse Park Mskwsed County Sales and Use Tax Grant Application pg5/25 <br />