LT-SS-2020-001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

WSHJA filarch 5,2A1-? Senator J im l-loneyfard Way and ltrl*ans, Vice-fharir Capital Sudget Cornrnlrts€ 112 lrv Newhouse $uilding P0 8ox 404J.5 Olyrnpia, WA 98504 5enator Judy Warnick Chair, Econornic Dev*lopment Committee 3.03 lw Ner,vhouse Suilding PO 0ox 4&41* 0lympia, W,A 98504 Re; Warhlngton State Horse Fark - Covered Arena Prsject Dear Senators: I urge you tc suppprt the Washington State Horse Park application for 52.0 million in capilal funding suppsrt {or a covered ,Arena and,Assuciated Build-out submilted by the washington state Hofs€ Parft Authority, A.s the Washingtsil Stats Hunter Jumper Association, the strength of Washinglcn's equestrian economy ir of vital impartance to u$. lmpori3ntly, the €quertrian *ssnomy helps to feed the Stete's tourisn: ecrnomy, wlthln which the Weshington Stete Horse Park plays a major role. The ll?-acre hprse park, iocatad in fle Elum, is cne of Washington's premiere destination venues, st$acting sver 30 thCIu$and vicltqrs annually, 95 percenl of whsm are nsnlocal. The Parlq due to its unique ability ts draw peaple from outside the lccaland state area, garners over $2.5 nilllen in overnight stays annually. Currently, the Park's eccnornic irnpact is $3.4 miliicn. Wlth the additisn of the Csvered Arena, the Fark will be enabled to expand itJ aprrating season from five ta nine months, broaden the size and scope of its equestrian events, and ultarvratsty generata mor€ touri$rn r€venue noi only for Cle Elum snd Ki$ita$ Counry where cver 18 percent of jobs are in the Aceammodations and Foodservice Sector, but ala* for Washingtpn Stat€. The aconarnic irnpact of enabling the Park to wlden its services is cansidemble" The Wa*hington State Hunter iumper Association itself has been enabled, thmugh the Washington State Horse Park,'to support nunierous top quality horse shows, benefitting its mertbership while also