EWA Secures Funding for State Equestrian Centre

After many months of hard work and negotiation, Equestrian WA have successfully secured funding to ensure the future of the State Equestrian Centre.

Equestrian Western Australian (EWA), a not-for-profit organisation, has proudly managed the State Equestrian Centre (SEC) since it was built for EWA members and the broader equestrian community in 1985. At 34 years old, the SEC requires substantial remedial work and redevelopment to guarantee its future for the next 20 years. As a result, EWA put together a plan to obtain the required funding and has been actively promoting the SEC Redevelopment Proposal to federal, state and local government. In late September, EWA achieved its goal, with EWA Chairman Ron Flemming making the following announcement:

Dear Members of Equestrian Western Australia and Friends of the State Equestrian Centre,

As you are aware, your Board and the CEO have been working hard to secure the long-term future of the State Equestrian Centre (SEC) without burdening our members with excessive membership fees or unreasonable hire charges for the use of the facility.

On Monday 23 September, the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Mick Murray MLA signed-off on a significant assistance package to enable the SEC to continue operating under the management of EWA for the next two years.

In the past six months, the Department has undertaken a due diligence assessment on the governance and financial management of the Board and Equestrian WA – this report was very favourable and has led to this important next step in our process.

During the next two years, the structure of the management of the SEC will be reviewed along with the negotiation of the lease of the facilities from the City of Swan to ensure a sustainable future over the long term.

Whilst there is considerable infrastructure funding still required to ensure the long term future of the State Equestrian Centre, the news we are able to share today is a big step towards our goals to ensure that this invaluable asset for all equestrians remains one of the best in the country and is available to all to use whether for a recreational ride, local competition, state and national championship.

We look forward to the continued support of our members and the State and Federal Governments to put the full Asset Management Plan in place.

Ron Fleming
On behalf of the Equestrian Western Australia Board and CEO
28th September 2019

This represents a great result for all equestrians. Read more on this story at Equestrian Western Australia.