The Arizona Quarter Horse Association — one of the preeminent and most community minded equestrian groups in the state — is strongly supporting the trio of Scottsdale bond measures on the November 2019 ballot.
The Arizona Quarter Horse Association (AZQHA) has endorsed all three bonds (Questions 1, 2 and 3) with a particular emphasis on Question 2 and AZQHA CEO Doug Huls will join the bond campaign’s Steering Committee. The For The Best Scottsdale Campaign’s Steering Committee is comprised of a diverse group of neighborhood, civic, tourism, arts and economic development advocates from all parts of Scottsdale.
Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane and City Council members Suzanne Klapp, Solange Whitehead and Linda Milhaven have also joined the For The Best Scottsdale Campaign: Vote Yes on Questions 1, 2 and 3 as honorary campaign co-chairs. The entire Scottsdale City Council supports the bonds and their investments in public safety, infrastructure repairs and senior services.
“We recognize how important the bond questions are for Scottsdale’s quality of life and economic vitality. That includes improvements and much needed renovations at WestWorld, an important economic and tourism engine for Scottsdale. WestWorld is known worldwide for its equestrian and other events. Improvements in the bonds are important for maintaining and enhancing Scottsdale’s reputation as a world-class equestrian hub with substantial tourism benefits,” Doug Huls said.
The Arizona Quarter Horse Association hosts the Arizona Fall Championship at WestWorld in September and the Arizona Sun Circuit Quarter Horse Show in February and March. They are among the largest events at WestWorld along with the Barrett-Jackson Car Auction and Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show. The Arizona Quarter Horse Association has 480 members.
WestWorld generates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact and tax revenue each year that helps fuel Scottsdale’s quality of life. WestWorld hosts as many as 160 events annually with more than 911,000 visitors and attendees. The facility is booked with equestrian and other events almost every day of the year.
Question 2 in the bond measures has much needed and overdue renovations and modernizations for WestWorld. Horse barns will be renovated. Restrooms will be expanded and renovated. Arena lights and the public address system will be modernized. WestWorld’s Arena will be renovated to provide more flexible event space. Permanent lights will be installed in the parking lot and 94th Street will be widened to improve access.
WestWorld hosts youth sports tournaments, RV and home shows, children’s and culinary events, The Junk in the Trunk Vintage, dog shows and community events such as Scottsdale’s 4th of July Celebration. It also hosts other equestrian events.
Investments from the bonds will help WestWorld host its existing roster of events and attract new events and more tourists and tax revenue to Scottsdale.
“WestWorld is an economic engine and community asset that helps Scottsdale’s tourism, economic development and quality of life. The bonds are essential for its future,” Huls said.
The Arizona Quarter Horse Association joins a diverse roster of bond supporters. The Scottsdale Fire Fighters Association, Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors, Police Officers of Scottsdale Association (POSA), The Scottsdale Charros, The Thunderbirds and Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce have also endorsed the bonds.
Scottsdale City Council members Virginia Korte and Guy Phillips already serve as honorary campaign co-chairs.
The 386-acre WestWorld property is both a park and events center in Scottsdale’s geographic center. The land where WestWorld is located is owned by the federal government. The city of Scottsdale manages the property and events center and is responsible for its operations and capital improvements.
The three bond questions also build new parks and recreation facilities, expand senior centers, repair infrastructure at Civic Center Plaza and at the far southern end of Indian Bend Wash, build new and renovate existing police and fire stations and modernizes the city jail. The bonds invest $319 million in 58 projects in all parts of the community. Scottsdale voters have not approved a major bond program since 2000.
“The Arizona Quarter Horse Association is a leading equestrian group in the state and has always been community focused. We welcome their support and the endorsement shows the breadth of backing for all three bond measures. Doug Huls will be an important part of our campaign leadership,” said Andrea Alley, co-chair of the For The Best Scottsdale campaign.