Laserfiche WebLink
Date; tebruary 28, 2017 <br />Senator Jirn iioneyford <br />Way and Meant Vicedhair Capital Fudget Conrmiltee <br />1\2 lrv Newhouse Buiiding <br />PO 8ox 404t5 <br />Olympia, WA 98504 <br />Senatsr Judy Warnick <br />Chair, fconomic Development Comrnittee <br />L03 lrv ltewhouse Suilding <br />P0 Box 4S413 <br />Olyntpia,ltrA 98504 <br />Re: Washington State llorse Fark * Covered Arena project <br />Dear Senatsm: <br />,4s a hor:e ownet and an office-holderlmember of various horse organilations, I know of the <br />need tc have a quallty facility that horse enthusiasts {in use, I have seen the prsgress that has <br />been rnade s$ the l-lorse Park and feelthat it is a one-of-a kind venue that can b* the number <br />one horse facility in Washington with the potential to attract hcrse enthusiasts and thejr <br />farniiies not only from the northwest, but the nation as well. The tourisrn econo{ny of our state <br />is extremely irnportant tp us and the dollars generated by the horse industry's use of the Horse <br />Fark can have a major positive effeet on our stale's €{onomy" I urge you to support the <br />Washington {WA}State Hsrse Park application for $z.c miltion in caBitatfsnding suppofi for a <br />Cosered Arena and Axaciated Suild-gut submitted by the WA State liorse Fark Authority. <br />Located in Cle Elum and in operation for 6 years, the 112-acre horse Park is a destination vsnue <br />atnons horse facilitles in cur state and already attracts over 30 ttrousand visitors per year, g5 <br />percel]t af whom are nsnlocal. The Fark's ability to draw people from oubid€ ihe local area <br />uniquely characterizec the Park's impact: over $?"5 million in overnight *tays. Total econornie <br />irnpact of the Park, ineluding day visitors, is $3"4 rnillion. T?re Covered Arena will allorv the park <br />tCI attract msre hsrse discipllnes, host larger shows and extend the its sperating season frsrn <br />five to nine months, significantly increasing the si:e and *umber pf eyents held at the park. <br />Cle Elum is in Kittitas County, wfrere sver 18 percent of jobs are in the Accornmodstions and <br />Foodservice $ector {Kittitas County Prafile, Meseck, regional lahor econornist, <br />updated Septernber 20x6). The economic irnpact of the park is considerable, <br />Thank you for your consideratioa. I urge the State to fund this impcrtant prcj*ct, <br />Sincerely, <br />Julie l(arnath <br />4715W. L4?h <br />Kennewick, WA 99338