[Vision2020] ice rink

[Chris Storhok]

April,
There were plans for reconfiguring the riding arena, raising its surface a
foot or two, and constructing modern loading facilities for larger trailers.
I don't know if those plans are still on the table or not but that set was
part of the entire ice rink remodel. 

There have been many proposals over the years to move the fairgrounds out of
town but the cost of such a venture was stated anywhere between $20 and $40
million.  Considering current property tax rates and the extreme funding
problems that both the Moscow School District and Latah County government is
having; a new fairgrounds is squarely in the "pie in the sky" category. 
If you have time head down to Fran's office at the Fairgrounds and ask her
if she still has the plans for the reconfigured and improved riding arena.

Good luck,
Chris Storhok
 


-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of April Fingerlos
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 9:47 AM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: RE: [Vision2020] ice rink

Yes, the arena does get used. The problem with it, however, is that's it's
WAY too small for any modern event. It worked well in the 60's and 70's when
trailers were small, but today's trailers are so much larger that it's
impossible to fit enough into that small parking area safely and still have
a profitable show (my 2-horse trailer is taller, wider, and longer than most
older 4 horse trailers). The lack of fencing, water, and stalls further
complicate the issue, especially in terms of liability insurance for the
host organization, or the fair board itself. The arena is of very good
size--any smaller and it would not be useful. I can't think of a single
boarding stable that could take on the same events with their own meager
parking. Paradise, Wonder, and Sunshine have all tried, but their parking
situation is even worse. The new arena at the Potlatch Y that borders the
Silver Spurs arena even has the same issue. If I had to pick one, perhaps
the Cayuse Kids arena in Princ!
 eton would fit more trailers, but their parking is even more odd.  In Latah
county at least, that fairgrounds is the best public venue we have.

There are several local saddle and 4-H clubs that utilize the arena for
practices, clinics, and small shows, however. I haul there for off-site
schooling several times each summer. 

I do what I can within my ApHC non-pro status to assist the local 4-H
groups, and one of my biggest irritants is how the horse projects are not
part of the Latah County Fair. There just isn't room for them at the
fairgrounds. There's hardly room for the fair as it is now, and it already
creates havoc for the surrounding neighborhoods. Has there been any talk at
all about relocating and expanding the fairgrounds, perhaps to something
like Whitman counties' facility outside of Colfax? I'm not talking about
attracting the large breed shows such as the ones I show at over on the
coast or even the new South Coast facility (www.southcoasteventscenter.com)
that I hope to show at next year, but instead simply having a facility in
which the community can celebrate the achievements of the entire youth
program at one time.

April

April Fingerlos
Moscow, ID

>>> Tom Ivie <the_ivies3 at yahoo.com> 4/5/2006 10:03:08 am >>>
Actually,
  Whatever happened with the ice rink?  I have heard several ideas; move to
Tidyman's, build a permanent building with a regulation size rink and keep
the other for figure skating, etc. 
  Does the horse arena at the fairgrounds ever get used? -Tom



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