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Il PREVIOUS FEASIBILITY AND IMPACT STUDIES <br />Two categories of 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 />Impoitant, 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 looked to the east side of the State to take <br />advantage of the drier weather. When the Trendwest/Suncadia property negotiation <br />with the Authority was completed in 1997; a second feasibility study was commissioned <br />and completed in 1998 by Richard Mack and Cary Richardson, both of the Central <br />Washington University College of Business. Each study is briefly summarized below. <br />Lewis County Stud <br />The Lewis County study was comprised of four areas of primary research: surveying 37 <br />existing Morse 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 equestrian center, economic feasibility, the economic, employment and <br />congestion impacts upon the local community, the design and management of the <br />facility, and funding options. Briefly, findings of the study were that: (1) There is <br />significant demand 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 Jn the fifth year, (4) The horse park <br />would be economically feasible on grounds of demand; even were the number of <br />14 <br />