LT-2022-009-WSHP - Laserfiche WebLink

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Future Plans *The Park continues to develop and add facilities and amenities, but we still are not a mature venue in terms of the amenities we can provide and the buildout of parking and stabling that are needed. We also lack spectator seating, a restroom bLrilding. a built in PA system, windscreens for the covered arena and elecricity to the outdooe arenas. We intened to add those features as funding becomes available and that wili allow us to attract more big events and charge more for facility rentals. The covered arena has allowed us to generate new sponsorship funds, and supporters are so impressed it gives them confidence in funding continued improvements. Longer term we intend to offer services and equipment that can be provided for a fee, thus eliminating work for event organizers and adding value they will be willing to pay for. This will further enhance our relatlonships and sustainability. Last but not least, we believe nonequine activities could be a significant new market opportunity and revenue source for the Park. This could include winter sports and uses ofthe covered arena such as expos and "fests". soccer practice. vollyball or movie night, etc. 2500 iiharacler lirnil Application Questions. Part 4 6l Additional lnformation Provide any additional information which will assist the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee in evaluating your project and its benefit to tourism. COVID-1 I lnfOfmatiOn It you had a plannecJ etenl rn 2ll2il or 2021 lvheiher they were .rble to take place or nor. please describe any soccesses and rhallenges yoil experienced. The overall number of visitor days had been fairly constant from 2016-2019, but in 2A2A the Covid pandemic prevented us from hosting most organized activities. This year we saw a rebound in registered participants but a significant decline in other visitor types due to continuing Covid concerns and resirictions. Two trends are noteworthy: there were a lot more recreational riders than we've seen in the past, and an increased demand for RV hook-ups and dry camping for lodging which reflects Covid concerns as well as limited availablilrty of hotel rooms. We also experienced severe staffing shortages this year as did many other businesses, which can be partially attributed to Covid effects. The attached Visitor and Economics Metrics Table reflects total visitors for the past six years and this seasorl. This table tracks growth in total visitor traffic and annual economic benefits. Our goal for 2022 is to increase overall visitor traffic by about 15% assuming Covid does not have a major resurgence. 2500 character linlit Additional lnformation The attached Google Analytics chart for January to September of this year shows a sizeable increase in new visitors io our website. This reflects ihe new online system being used by visitors to register for recreational acttvites and some events, which draws them to our website where we provide information about facilities, services and the surrounding community We very much appreciate the annual support we've had from the County's Lodging Tax Committee. Our success in attracting visitors, and the economic benefits they provide, would not have been as strong were it not for the grant funding we've been fortunate to receive. Thank you very much for your consideration again this year. 2500 rih!r:rcter lintii