Come for horses, stay to spend
STEVE MAYNARD; The News Tribune
Published: May 20th, 2006 01:00 AM

As a pregnant saddlebred named Kody licked her hand, Nina Hagen raved about her city’s plans to build a 5,000-seat equestrian arena and transform itself into the horse capital of the Northwest.

“It’s going to bring so much business and notoriety,” said Hagen, whose El Dorado Farms breeds more thoroughbreds and foals more mares than any other farm in the state.

“This is our golden opportunity.”

Welcome to Enumclaw, whose equine-themed dream is based on more than just a love of horses. It’s also a way to produce more money for a city of 11,500 struggling to draw business to pristine but isolated east King County.

Other cities in the region have tried to create lucrative tourism niches, with mixed success. Fife set out to be a youth soccer haven along Interstate 5, while Gig Harbor is anchored firmly to its nautical heritage.

With state and federal dollars in short supply, cities are struggling to pay for services such as police, fire and parks. Jim Justin of the Association of Washington Cities said local governments have reacted by ramping up economic development plans.

“We just don’t see any direct handouts coming,” he said.

In Enumclaw, bringing regional horse shows to a covered arena proposed for the King County Fairgrounds could bring in tax revenue to help pay rising costs, said Mayor John Wise.

The city has been hit over the past decade by business closures, including a 200-employee Weyerhaeuser Co. mill in 2003. Residential growth has been stymied since 1997 and won’t change until a new wastewater treatment plant is completed in 2008.
“We have to take care of ourselves,” Wise said. “Tourism is an economic alternative to take care of ourselves.”

The mayor envisions a city partnership with private investors to build and run the arena on grassy land in the middle of the 150-acre fairgrounds. Construction wouldn’t begin until some time between 2009 and 2011, but the city would begin promoting the theme sooner, Wise said.

Last month, the Enumclaw City Council unanimously approved the equestrian theme and center – with one major condition. The council voted to spend $20,000 to have a consultant study whether a $16 million multipurpose complex, called the Northwest Expo & Equestrian Center, would make money.

Wise, who’s been boosting the equestrian theme for more than a year, is confident the study, due in the fall, will show the center would work.

City Councilman Mike Ennis isn’t so sure.

“If it comes back to be a money-loser, we’re going to have to re-evaluate it,” Ennis said.

Others try themes

Enumclaw is just the latest South Sound city to attempt to adopt a theme as a way to draw more visitors and their money.

But turning it from a dream into reality isn’t easy, as one Pierce County city is finding out.
Fife wants to become a major soccer destination by building the 12-field Pacific National Soccer Park for more than $15 million. But the youth soccer association expected to raise the money ran out of cash while planning the project.

The dream isn’t dead. A business plan is due in the next month, said Kurt Reuter, Fife’s director of parks, recreation and community services.

“We haven’t closed the door on anything at this point,” he said.

Gig Harbor has found its niche marketing itself as “The Maritime City.” Not only does the slogan and a three-sail logo appear on the city’s Web site, but the city spends $5,000 a year to put it onto fleeces, hats, vests and polo shirts. The marketing effort appears to get results, as several regional magazines and newspapers have featured the city in their travel sections.

As for Enumclaw, a leader in the state’s horse industry called the equestrian project “absolutely phenomenal.”

Ralph Vacca, general manager of the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association, said there are up to 40 breeders on the Enumclaw Plateau from Auburn to Buckley.

“No question it is the horse center of the state of Washington,” Vacca said.

Horse farms dot the rolling, grassy terrain surrounding Hagen’s El Dorado Farms a few miles northwest of the city limits.

Dozens of horses she’s bred – including five she owns – race at Emerald Downs in Auburn. Retired race horses would be among those competing in events at the proposed equestrian center, she said.

Investor interest reported

Both Wise and Hagen said potential investors from inside and outside the horse industry have expressed interest in the project. But they both say it’s premature to name names.
An earlier consultant’s study, which came up with the concept at a cost of $38,000, showed an equestrian center could make money, Wise said. The project would add stables; veterinary facilities; retail businesses including tack, western wear and saddle shops; and an expanded recreational vehicle site.

The mayor hopes it also would spur construction of hotels and restaurants, boosting city sales tax revenue.

The plan by Destination Development of Olympia calls for white three-rail fences along horse farms bordering Highway 410 and other roads. The plan suggests the city adopt a horse-and-buggy logo with the new slogan: “Mt. Rainier’s Gateway Village.” Horse-themed street signs might be installed.

But the linchpin is building the arena and related businesses at the King County Fairgrounds. City officials are talking with the county about transferring ownership of the fairgrounds, home of the annual July fair, and then annexing the land.

Kevin Brown, director of the King County Parks and Recreation Division, supports the idea. Used only nine months of the year, the fairgrounds has lost money in recent years – $270,000 in 2005, Brown said.

Even before an equestrian center is built, Wise believes the city at least could break even on the fairgrounds by reducing operating costs and booking more equestrian and other events.

Some not enthused

While Wise said community support is overwhelming, not everyone is enthused.
Paul Heard, whose house is one block west of the fairgrounds, worries about increased noise and traffic from horse trailers pulling in and out.

Heard, an insurance broker, also fears the equestrian center wouldn’t survive.
“I don’t want them to put one in and then a year later the thing fizzles,” he said.
Wise agreed noise could increase, but he also expects the value of nearby property would rise.

Wise said events already at the fairgrounds would remain – including dog shows, 4-H events, the Scottish Highland Games and the King County Fair. But he said the new arena and equestrian center also would attract a wide range of horse events, including English riding, Western barrel-racing, jumping and dressage.

Some of those shows already take place in Monroe and at the Puyallup Fairgrounds; others are out of state.

With the premier equestrian arena in the Northwest, Wise said Enumclaw could draw from British Columbia, Oregon and Washington.

“It could really put Enumclaw on the map,” the second-term mayor said.
“I think this is going to be the best thing that’s happened to Enumclaw in decades.”

Steve Maynard: 253-597-8647
steve.maynard@thenewstribune.com
Staff writer Brent Champaco contributed to this report.

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