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Despite these lnnprusslye *cccrnpl$hrnents, th€ Park is unable to rnc€t tedafs merketplace <br />requirementr for protectlon lrom the r{eithcr rnd greater caBaclly, All of the Part's current faellities <br />are outdoors; the only shelter is a 30x30'tent far people and stalls for borses. When conditiong are wet, <br />participants and foatinB suffer, {For example, in 2016 rain in June caused many riders to eancel frorn one <br />of our largest shsws, and all three events booked far October cancelled due to weather.) Thlr hurfs thc <br />park's reputation afid r€venu€i, and strains our relationship with o.rganlzers, But equally, when <br />conditions get ex1rernal,/ sunnVlhot/windy, participant$, horses and cattle need protection, And finaily, <br />in todat's csmp€titiye environrnsnt, rcany trainers and sltsw organilers dernand a controlled <br />atmo$phere * free of Orrldoor distractions - to ensure a focused, p$$ltive experlence fsr their riders. <br />Why shcutd the gtatp rupport this projecl witft a $am approprlation at this tim€? t he Park currently <br />U€nerates abeut $3rn in erensmic benefits each season, but we are unable'lo inerease that amount <br />withour grorxing our current biggest shows and adding rnore large multi-day evenls. rhe latter cdtegery <br />is generally eontrclled by experi*nced crganirers who wi{l nol try a n€w venue unless tfiey {an rnarQge <br />risks such as weather irnpacts. We believe this $?m investfilent will errable Js to bulld a high quaiity <br />csvered arena, and add anothet $3rn of annu*i econornic irnpact in 5 years, which will repeat each year <br />ln addition, ihis proipct will provide su:tainabfe cp*rating rav€nue$ for the Farlc" and belter -c€rve the <br />State's large and dlverse horse sornmunlty wl"rich ls our mission' <br />We believe the f,orse Park has proven its val*e and ability ta 5u$tai'l itself. Sut in order to thrive. we <br />need the covered arena. We strongly request and $rg€ ysu tg fund this important prnieet, and are ve;'y <br />gr3t€f{Jl fw support froni lhe $tate for this ve ry rtnlque public"private partnership. <br />Sincerely, <br />reslie M. Thurston <br />Execulive Oirectpr, on behalf of the Authsrity Seard