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PROJECT NARRATIVE <br />• Project Description: Describe the scope of work. Indicate the major work Involved, Including a <br />brief comparison of existing and propo1ed co.oditions. <br />The Washin~n State Horse Parle Authority ("the Authority'') is a 50l(c)3 nonprofit corporation whose <br />mission is to develop, promote, operat.e, manage and maintain a first-class horse park facility in <br />accordance with RCW 79A.30, which passed 1995. Subsequently the Authority obtained lend and <br />funding to develop the initial revenue-generating facilities for the Washington State Horse Park in Cle <br />Elum, Kittitas County, Washington: The Park held its first event in 2010 and has been self-sustaining <br />since that time. However, its ability to satisfy current customer needs, serve a broader range of horse <br />sport disciplines and host larger events is limited because all of its existing riding facilities are outdoors <br />while many event organizers require protection ftom the weather. <br />This project seeks $400,000 from the Kittitas Comity Distressed County Sales and Use Tax <br />Infrastructure Improvement Program to oonstruct a $4.9 million Covered Arena and Associated <br />Build-Out (oovered arena, not an enclosed arena) at the Washington State Horse Pm for the purpose of <br />public equine competitions and training events, recreational riding and other uses. <br />Background: In 1995, the State legislature passed RCW 79A.30 (recodified 67.18 ) to create the <br />Washington State Horse Parle Authority. The legislation directed the Authority to establish "3) a first- <br />class horse parlc facility in Washington to meet the important needs of the state's horse industry, attract <br />investment, enhance recreational opportunities, and bring new exh.toitors and tourists to the state from <br />throughout the region and beyond; and 4) A unique opportunity exists to fonn a partnership between <br />state, oounty and private interest to create a major horse park facility that will provide public rea-eational <br />opportunities and statewide economic and employment benefits." Upper Kittitas County was selected as <br />the location for the Horse Parle when suitable wooded acreage was donated by Suncadia LLC for the <br />purpose of developing a horse park. The 112-acre site is conveniently located off 1-90 at 1202 Douglas <br />Munro Blvd in the city of Cle Elwn. This location met requirements determined by earlier studies for a <br />horse park facility, including good highway access and a dry climate. The City took ownership of the <br />donated property and entered into a 99-year lease with the Authority. <br />Legislative support continued with appropriation of $3.5 million in the 2007-2009 capital budget for <br />Phase I oonstruction of the Horse Park. That work included design, development, permitting end <br />engineering components, as well as site clearing, road grading, utility improvements and initial arenas <br />and stabling to begin hosting activities and generating revenues. Ground was broken in March 2010 and <br />the first event took place in August of that year. In an Oct 12, 2009 posting on houserepublicans.wa.gov, <br />then Rep. Judy Warnick (now Sen. Judy Warnick, 13th Legislative District) included in the list of reasons <br />for her support: "Most of all, these facilities will help the local economy and provide much-needed <br />jobs." <br />This view by the legislators was reinforced in 2018 when the State Biennial Capital Budget was approved <br />with $2.0 million in support of the WA State Horse Park Covered Arena and Associated Build-Out <br />project. The bill passed both the House and Senate unanimously. <br />Construction of the Horse Pm has been divided into three phases. Phase I was oom.pleted when the Perk <br />opened for business. Its cost of $3 .5 million to develop the initial infrastructure and oompetition facilities <br />was funded by the state legislature in the 2007-2009 capital budget. Phase II, which expands upon those <br />basic amenities, has been ongoing since that time and includes acquisition of equipment, horse stalls, <br />bleacher seating, electricity extensions, cattle pens, jumps and fencing, etc. as well as development of a <br />Washington State Horse Perk Distrcsaed County Sales and Use Tax Grant Application pg3/2S