CITY OF CLE ELUM WSHP LARGE CAP APPLICATION

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• Arena expansion to serve our largest current events, attract additional regional and national competitions, support simultaneous multi-discipline activities, and bring more out of county visitors to the grounds. • Restrooms, lighting, and amenities that elevate the overall user experience and meet increasing visitor expectations. With upgraded facilities, the Park will attract more visitors, benefiting hotels, restaurants, local businesses, and service providers, while also creating safer, more accessible, and comfortable infrastructure for participants, spectators, vendors, and families. By retaining and growing equine and non-equine events that bring people together, the project fosters quality of life in Kittitas County, community pride, and long-term economic resilience. This project is planned for full implementation in a single phase to maximize its impact and benefits. However, if full funding is not available, WSHP has planned its expansion with a flexible approach that prioritizes the most urgent improvements. Funding would be directed toward critical safety and capacity-building elements that enable the Park to operate efficiently and attract more business, which results in increased tourism revenue for the region. The reduced scope would include these priorities: • Security fencing • 11 permanent barn pads for 220 stalls • 32 additional RV sites • 73 new parking spaces • Portable bleachers This scaled-back implementation would delay providing restroom facilities, ambient lighting throughout the site, vendor area utilities, ancillary maintenance and office structures, pedestrian/vehicular/horse separation fencing, and directional signage. This phased approach would reduce our overall grant request by about $1m to a total of $3,275,000. Even at a reduced scope, the investment delivers significant benefits for the county tourism and hospitality industries. Full Buildout Site Plan: https://cityofcleelum.sharepoint.com/:i:/g/EdaWPJFoYflGvsHM31HeTdwBepoGLj3LDJtA9l8TE ND3bg?e=Dh9Av7 2024 Economic Impact Study (referenced below): https://cityofcleelum.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/EROatsL5Hk5Mrra937S1sukByWwllg7b3bqqbYk22OP1wA ?e=QDAvWN 2. Tourism Benefit The proposed expansion of the WSHP will strengthen Kittitas County’s tourism economy by increasing visitor capacity, enhancing event quality, and expanding year-round recreational access. WSHP currently draws 38,000 visitors annually of which 81% are from outside the County. According to a 2024 economic impact study conducted in partnership with Central Washington University, WSHP contributes $4.23 million in economic activity each year.