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History of the Facility
September 30, 1968 – Bureau of Reclamation
Acquires Land
On September 30, 1968, the 90th Congress
passed Public Law 537 authorizing the Central Arizona Project (CAP) to acquire the
Paradise Valley Flood Retention Basin as a part of the project.
The Management Plan developed to oversee the CAP
established a public recreational use for land making up the detention basins acquired to
protect the CAP canal from flooding.
July 29, 1982 – City Enters Into Agreement with
Bureau of Reclamation
The City of Scottsdale entered into a Cost-Sharing
and Land Use Agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation to operate and develop the initial
132 acres of Bureau property, now identified as WestWorld.
The agreement clearly identifies that the City
"agrees to operate the project land for optimum enhancement of general recreation
consistent with authorized project purposes".
The City of Scottsdale was operating the Cholla Park
Equestrian facility next to the Scottsdale Airport. Expansion of the runways was requiring
the removal of Cholla Park as a City facility. The Bureau of Reclamation and the City of
Scottsdale entered into this agreement for use of the Bureau land in order to develop
Scottsdale Horseman’s Park as the first new development on this Bureau property.
Scottsdale Horseman’s Park replaced and added the
amenities at Cholla Park, but was not a replacement of the City of Scottsdale facility.
This development was a new facility on Federal land subject to all policies and procedures
of the Bureau of Reclamation.
This original agreement, Contract No. 2-07-32-L0793,
clearly identifies the need for development of general uses. At no time does the agreement
indicate that Horseman’s Park will be developed for equestrian uses only.
1983-1985 – Initial Construction and Park
Expansion
Beginning in 1983, construction began on two arenas,
lights, entry road, and parking. Additionally, the first of three buildings was relocated
to Horseman’s Park to act as the clubhouse and restroom facility for the new area.
During this time period, the two additional buildings
were moved onto the property to house the administration and the business show offices.
Also, during the same time period, the City assumed
oversight responsibility of the remaining 224 acres in the basin, thus bringing the total
site acreage to 356 from Pima Road to 108th Street.
March 14, 1984 – First Amendment to Cost-Sharing
and Land Use Agreement
This amendment defines more specifically the
cost-sharing amount limit by the Bureau of Reclamation in support of this project.
February 21, 1985 – Second Amendment to
Cost-Sharing and Land Use Agreement
This amendment clarifies wording regarding exhibits
described in the Cost-Sharing and Land Use Agreement.
March 17, 1986 – Third Amendment to Cost-Sharing
and Land Use Agreement
This amendment modifies the term of the agreement to
reflect a 25-year renewal option after the initial 50-year term.
July 1, 1986 – Use and Management Agreement
Signed by City of Scottsdale and K-Lin Corporation
The City entered into a Use and Management agreement
with K-Lin Corp. to operate and develop a recreational facility to be known as
Horseman’s Equestrian and Theme Park. The proposed commercial activities identified
for the park included an amphitheater, museums, state exhibit center, and other
facilities. The list of proposed uses is included in the agreement. It was the vision of
K-Lin Corp. to acquire an additional 300 acres of property adjacent to WestWorld. The
agreement between K-Lin Corp., and the City of Scottsdale committed two percent (2%) of
all gross revenues on WestWorld and all facilities owned by K-Lin Corp. on adjacent
property.
The Use and Management Agreement and its attached Master
Plan clearly identifies Horseman’s Equestrian and Theme Park as a multi-use public
recreation facility and was approved by the Bureau of Reclamation. Activities on the
facility ranged from equestrian events, mud bog dragster races, concerts, motorcycle races
to the Barrett/Jackson Antique Car show.
In 1986, the City of Scottsdale completed the initial
construction of Horseman’s Equestrian and Theme Park. Total cost for construction was
$10,000,000. This project included the grading of the 356 acres of Bureau of Reclamation
land to create the necessary retention basins and building pads with minimum elevations of
six inches over the 100-year flood elevation. Additionally construction included all
utility infrastructure, six arenas, ten 48-stall barns, one Grand Prix field, utilities
for 600 temporary horse stalls, and 100 recreational vehicle spaces.
K-Lin Corp. assumed management responsibility of the
facility as the project elements were completed.
1987 – Equidome Arena Built
K-Lin Corporation, with the City of Scottsdale and
Bureau of Reclamation approval, built the covered Equidome Arena.
September 8, 1987 – Fourth Amendment to
Cost-Sharing and Land Use Agreement
This amendment includes the addition of a parcel of
land located south of the dike area at the northeast corner of Pima Road and the Granite
Reef Aqueduct.
1988 – Restaurant / Catering Facility
Constructed
K-Lin Corporation, with the City of Scottsdale and
Bureau of Reclamation approval, constructed what is now called Monterra Catering.
1988 – Conceptual Master Plan Submitted To
Bureau of Reclamation
The City of Scottsdale submitted a conceptual Master
Plan to the Bureau of Reclamation for approval. The Bureau of Reclamation was clear that
this plan was conceptual and would require detailed submittals with all appropriate public
input, and City of Scottsdale review, in order to be considered by the Bureau of
Reclamation for implementation.
1993 – Conceptual Master Plan Review; K-Lin
Corp. Sold 50% Interest In WestWorld to Co-partner
The Bureau of Reclamation directed the City of
Scottsdale to undertake a detailed review of the 1988 Conceptual Master Plan and update
the plan if necessary. The Bureau of Reclamation also directed the City of Scottsdale,
along with the management company, to develop a Facility Operation Plan. This plan would
identify exactly how all facilities would operate and be available to the public.
K-Lin Corp. sold its 50% interest in WestWorld to its
co-partner, Horseworld Joint Venture (HJV).
August 30, 1995 – Facility and Management
Operations Plan Developed
The management company at WestWorld, Horseworld
Joint Venture, working with the City of Scottsdale and Bureau of Reclamation, developed
the Facility and Management Operations Plan as a guide for the daily operation of the
WestWorld facility. This document outlines the approved uses, as well as policies and
procedures that support the historical established uses and current allowed uses at
WestWorld.
The Facility and Management Operations Plan also
completed a rezoning process for WestWorld to a designation of Western Theme Park for the
area northwest of Thompson Peak Parkway to Pima Road. It also includes a designation of
Open Space to the area southeast of Thompson Peak, which is now the Sanctuary Golf Course.
Moreover, this document modified and updated the
facility Master Plan. The revised Master Plan identified all existing elements of the
WestWorld facility, and allowed for new elements such as:
- Public Golf Course
- Indian Cultural Center
- New trailhead and livery operation
- Historic Village
- Modified Polo field and outdoor amphitheater
The Facility and Management Operations Plan was approved
by the City of Scottsdale Planning Commission and the City Council. It was submitted to,
and approved by, the Bureau of Reclamation as appropriate for Bureau of Reclamation land.
January 1, 1997 – City of Scottsdale Regains
Operational Responsibility of WestWorld
In October 1996, the City of Scottsdale began
discussions with Horseworld Joint Venture (HJV) about the potential of the City acquiring
the assets and license rights held by HJV under the Use and Management Agreement. HJV
agreed to sell their assets and license rights (38 years) to the City of Scottsdale for
$4,400,000. The City of Scottsdale also received a $400,000 discount for making a one-time
payment to complete the deal. Total cost was $4,000,000.
HJV also retained the right to be the concession
operator for the WestWorld restaurant and the concession rights to develop and operate the
proposed WestWorld Golf Facility. The agreements necessary to accomplish this transaction
are listed below.
- Agreement #960213, between the City of Scottsdale and HJV, d.b.a.
WestWorld of Scottsdale, HJV sold its license rights and tangible and intangible property
interests in the WestWorld facility to the City.
- Agreement #960214, between the City of Scottsdale and Pegasus Restaurant
and Catering, Inc., ("Pegasus"), d.b.a. WestWorld of Scottsdale, the City
granted Pegasus concession rights to operate a restaurant and or catering operation at the
WestWorld facility.
- Agreement #960215, between the City of Scottsdale and Capital Realty
Corp. (Scottsdale), the City granted Capital Realty Corp. the rights to develop and
operate a golf course at the WestWorld facility.
Agreement #960214 authorized Pegasus to operate a
restaurant and catering concession on-site. Agreement #960215 authorized Capital Realty
Corp. as the golf course concessionaire and requires Capital Realty Corp. to finance,
develop, construct and operate an 18-hole golf course at the east end of WestWorld. Under
these agreements, the City continues to receive two percent (2%) of the generated gross
revenues.
January 1997 – Development of Business Plan
Immediately after regaining operational
responsibility, the City of Scottsdale, the Bureau of Reclamation, and a variety of
facility users and Scottsdale citizens began a process directed at the development of a
Business Plan. The Business Plan would guide the future use and development of WestWorld.
This diverse group of people developed a plan for
facility development and use that addressed the needs of the WestWorld facility and the
City of Scottsdale. This plan also reflected the policies of the Bureau of Reclamation to
provide fair and equal access to this Federal land.
March 16, 1998 – City Council Approves WestWorld
Business Plan
The Scottsdale City Council approved the
Business Plan and staff forwarded this document to the Bureau of Reclamation for their
review and approval.
The Bureau of Reclamation approved the Business Plan.
Their approval confirmed the vision and mission statements, along with the appropriate
uses on Federal land. Additionally, this document again updated the on-going Master Plan
to reflect the conceptual uses and development for the future.
Vision Statement: WestWorld is a
premier, nationally recognized, user-friendly equestrian center and special event facility
serving our community and target market visitors.
Mission Statement: WestWorld of
Scottsdale is dedicated to providing public recreational opportunities and a venue for
entertainment activities with an emphasis on equestrian and western theme events to
citizens and target market visitors. WestWorld will enhance Scottsdale’s image as the
West’s Most Western Town. WestWorld will offer equal public access and excellent
customer service.
November 3, 1998 – Fifth Amendment to Cost-Sharing
and Land Use Agreement
This amendment established the Basin Management
Fund. This Fund is used to "develop, operate, maintain and/or improve the WestWorld
facility and lands for public recreation".
September 7, 1999 – Sixth Amendment to Cost-Sharing
and Land Use Agreement
This amendment includes the addition of wetland
habitat within the confines of the WestWorld Golf Course (now called Sanctuary).
September 7, 1999 – Seventh Amendment to
Cost-Sharing and Land Use Agreement
This amendment includes the addition of a parcel of
land located south of the Hayden-Rhodes Aqueduct, at the southwest corner of Pima Road and
the canal.
November 11, 1999 – Sanctuary Golf Course Opens
Capital Realty Corp. exercised their contractual
option to develop a golf course on Bureau of Reclamation land. It was opened for public
use on November 11, 1999. They pay the City of Scottsdale two percent of gross to the City
of Scottsdale.
September 22, 2000 – Eighth Amendment to
Cost-Sharing and Land Use Agreement
This amendment allows the Bureau of Reclamation to
cost-share with the City for up to $175,000 for the design and construction of a public
trailhead at WestWorld.