	California Equestrian Park & Event Center

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Questions and Answers

What is CEPEC and what would it be use it for?
CEPEC is an acronym for the California Equestrian Park and Event Center - a non-profit California corporation formed to create a facility for use by the public as well as equestrians. Having CEPEC privately owned and managed will allow it to be open (even in tough economic times) and always maintained. CEPEC will be used for recreation, education, events, competitions, and historical and open space preservation.

How will CEPEC benefit the general public in Sonoma County?
CEPEC will provide entertainment, recreation, educational opportunities, hiking trails, museum displays, jobs, as well as income revenue for local businesses including the hospitality and tourism industry and tax revenue for the county.

How will CEPEC benefit equestrians in the County?
CEPEC will offer equestrians a place to ride year-round in open and covered arenas, a central location for clinics and viewing equestrian events, a nearby facility to obtain advanced level medical services, and a place to view Sonoma County's historical equine artifacts and memorabilia. Equestrians will also benefit from the professional services CEPEC will offer such as meeting and convention venues as well as advanced equine medical services.

How will CEPEC benefit horse trainers in the County?
Trainers will be able to "haul in" to the CEPEC facilities year around for practice, conditioning, and training. CEPEC's planned 16 arenas, both covered and open, will provide optimal riding conditions and footing for practicing and showing in different disciplines including dressage, jumping, eventing, cutting, reining, barrel racing, driving, and polo.

How will CEPEC benefit boarding stables in the County?
Participants in horse shows at CEPEC will need local stables for short or long term boarding. Since CEPEC will not be a general boarding facility, it will rely on local stables to provide housing for horses that may arrive days before an event at CEPEC, or who may be on a circuit requiring a lay over between shows at different West Coast locations. Owners and riders who bring horses to Sonoma County will be referred by CEPEC to local stables for accommodations and to local trainers for their services.

How will CEPEC benefit local show facilities in the County?
Existing show facilities in the county will be an important resource for CEPEC to host shows unable to be accommodated by CEPEC. In addition, existing show facilities can be utilized to qualify riders for national and international level events hosted by CEPEC.

Why was CEPEC chosen for its name?
CEPEC was chosen to describe the primary function of the facility which is for recreation, equestrian events, as well as education, and historical preservation.

Where will it be and why was the location chosen?
The site is planned for Roblar Road and was chosen after several months of investigation and interviews. Click here to read a report describing the factors considered during the site selection process.

What facilities would be there?
The center will provide facilities for a wide variety of horse events (shows, competitions, demonstrations, clinics) and disciplines (including dressage, stadium jumping, hunter-jumper, eventing, driving, cutting, reining, vaulting, barrel racing, and polo). The center will also be used for educational events such as classes, clinics, and certifications. Historical artifacts that document and display Sonoma County's rich equine history will be preserved and on display in the CEPEC museum - which will also contain an equine library. CEPEC will also have an equine quarantine center and a veterinary center which will provide advanced medical services such as major surgeries, and medical imaging.

How big will CEPEC be?
The current plans are for a 1,200 acre facility. In order to qualify for Open Space acquisition, a majority of acreage must be maintained as open space. CEPEC will meet this requirement by preserving at least 800 acres which will be used for livestock grazing and trails for riding and hiking. The remaining land will be used for the equestrian center and its support infrastructure.

Why can't the County Fairgrounds be used?
Neither county Fairgrounds is not an appropriate venue for CEPEC because: they do not offer space for large scale national or international events, and simultaneous, large multi-discipline events. The types of events that can be held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds are also limited due to issues such as arena footing. Neither Fairgrounds offers the infrastructure and space for education and conference centers, and medical/surgical and imaging centers. Additionally, the Sonoma County Fairgrounds is not interested in utilizing its facilities for training, conditioning and housing of horses (including race and polo horses). Finally, the location of the Sonoma County Fairgrounds requires visitors to travel on Hwy 101 through Santa Rosa, which is often congested. The planned CEPEC site will be more easily accessible from Sonoma, Marin, and Napa counties.

How much will the CEPEC cost and who is paying for it?
The entire center is currently estimated to cost $205 million dollars. Plans are to build the facility in stages as funds are obtained. Potential funding includes a variety of sources such as government and private grants, donations, and fund raising events.

What has been accomplished so far?
The project was initiated in March 2009. The following have been accomplished: market research; initial business plan; initial specifications and cost estimates; letters of interest from land owners regarding Open Space acquisition; Open Space application; presentations to county agencies, service organizations, and clubs; presentations on local TV and radio shows; publication in local newspapers; creation of marketing materials; formation of an advisory team and Board of Directors; incorporation; obtaining seed development funding; preliminary permit review by the Sonoma County Permit and Resource Department; approval by Open Space to advance 614 acres to next stage in easement acquisition.

What are the next immediate steps?
Obtain funding for Wetlands Study and Army Corps of Engineers jurisdictional determination.

How can I participate?
By contacting CEPEC.