Published: December 05, 2006 07:22 am      

Park renovation could bring more events

The Crystal Beach Master Plan is still just a dream but that dream could very well become a reality through a vote on Dec. 12th.

The vote is not to raise taxes but to extend the taxes already in place. The sales tax in Woodward will remain 8.2 percent but the one cent tax extension, if voted into existence, will fund the $25 million Crystal Beach Master Plan.

Advocates for the plan say that the renovations and extensions of the park will be extremely beneficial to the community of Woodward.

“The economic impact on our community will be huge,” said Kris Day of The Cowboy’s Tack Shop.

One of the renovations to the park will be a new, covered arena for rodeos and even events such as concerts.

All arena areas will be connected and accessible with a walking trail for those on foot and those on horseback.

“It’ll be safer for the kids,” said Day.

Today the arena is laid out in such a manner that those on horseback must ride their horses close to vehicular traffic, which could be potentially hazardous. With the new trails, those on horseback will not be riding near traffic.

The revenue of the community should benefit greatly from these rodeo events, said Day. With the new arena plus the old ones Woodward will be able to host additional high school rodeo events.

“All these kids will come into town for a week, fill up with diesel, eat out 12 or 15 times and this money is going to roll around in the community,” said Day.

Upon completion of the project the United States Team Roping Championship (USTRC) has promised to bring to Woodward two 3-day roping events. A study done by the USTRC shows that the average contestant in a roping event spends $214 per day.

Other rodeo events will be fathomable as well since there will be no fear of rainouts with the new covered facility. Even special events such as Professional Bull Riders (PBR) who come to town will bring more revenue from spectators not afraid of a rain out.

“I just can’t see a bad thing about it,” said Day. “It’s just going to be wonderful.”

It is unanimous among advocates: It is imperative that the community vote.

“If you live in the city limits and your precinct is open, you have to go vote,” said Day.

Marlin Trissel, a member of the Board of Kids Inc. said the Kids Inc. board voted to back the project.

In addition to the new arena in the plans there will also be baseball fields, softball fields, soccer fields, football fields and tennis court renovations.

There will also be more greenbelts and gazebos with room for large family gatherings held at the park.

“If the people of Woodward don’t vote to pass this, it would be the biggest mistake Woodward has made in 25 years,” said Leland Searcy, a member of the Equine Committee.