Laserfiche WebLink
Tourism-Related Facility operational Funding Narrative <br />(Municipality Applications Only| <br />For the Year: 2023 <br />1. Operational Spending: Please explain your request for operational funding and how it is <br />directly related to supporting the operations of a tourism-related facility owned or operated by <br />a municipality or public facilities district. <br />The Kittitas Valley Event Center is requesting operationalfunding in the sum of <br />$200,000 for part of its labor cost that continue to support facility maintelnance as well <br />as serve the functionality of the operations including providing expected services <br />directly to customers who rent the facilities and visit Kittitas county. <br />KVEC management realizes the importance of the proper attention, upkeep, and <br />maintenance that this large and diverse facility needs, as wellas providing excellent <br />customer service and support. Our 2023 event season has been well under way w1h <br />several customers and events returning again for the first time since the pandemic <br />shutdown. 100 years ago, the Kittitas County Fair moved permanently to where it is <br />today and we take great pride in the 100th anniversary of our grounds. lt's also the 100ih <br />anniversary of the Ellensburg Rodeo, which our facility plays i key role in hosting the <br />World-Famous event each year. <br />With the 100th year celebrations bring an extra level of excitement and planning. <br />This year, the Rodeo Board has proposed hiring two tour buses to complete routes from <br />all the hotels to the Fair and Rodeo to help alleviate parking congestion with more <br />attendees expected due to the anniversary. The Kittitas County Fair would very much <br />love to partner with the Ellensburg Rodeo and the Chamber of Commerce on these <br />buses as it will be very beneficial to the events and our attendees. The cost we are <br />requesting is a total sum of $6,b00 that we will pay to the Ellensburg Rodeo for our <br />share in the bus partnership. This funding addition is a special request only for 2022. <br />2. Sustainability Strategy: Please describe your strategy for long-term operational sustainability. <br />lnclude any specific progress toward this goal, <br />With current staff structure, direction, and processes, KVEC can better meet the <br />expectations and demand of events held on the grounds as well as continue to bring in <br />new business. Our 4th of July celebration, called Patriot Night Under the Lights, featirres <br />a top-notch country music concert and is growing each year, becoming anlstablished <br />Ellensburg event. Last year, we saw a 14% growth in attendance. Hosting events like <br />these increases the economic impact on our community by bringing in more visitors and <br />generating tourism. <br />New event holders continue to inquire about booking at KVEG due to the <br />improvements they've witnessed as event attendees or by word of mouth. We are <br />excited to that we have CWU Horse Shows, a brand-new Car and Motorcycle Show, as