Have your say on the future of the State Equestrian Centre - An update from EWA CEO Zac Acott

Dear Members,

Firstly, I wanted to say how exciting it’s been to get to know many of you and hear your stories in my first eight weeks as CEO of Equestrian WA. It’s been an honour and a privilege to meet so many of the people who make equestrian sport what it is in Western Australia, and I look forward to meeting many more of you in the future.

With so much happening across our community, I wanted to take the time to update you on some exciting projects and developments that will take place at the State Equestrian Centre (SEC) over the coming months – and also invite you to provide your feedback to help shape the future of the SEC.

I am pleased to inform you that Equestrian WA’s lease agreement with the City of Swan for the SEC has been extended until 30 June 2023. Further to this, by the end of the year, work on resurfacing and upgrading the Indoor & Outdoor Warm Up Arena, as well as the installation of solar panels will be completed.

These exciting projects will kick-start a significant reimagining of our home over the next few years. Our vision is for the SEC to become a place for all within our sport and our wider community to compete, work, explore, engage and connect. Projects such as the solar panel installation also provide the added benefit of improved financial sustainability, allowing us to direct more money into delivering improved services for our members and the sport.

I also wanted to provide you with an update regarding the next stage in the process of the SEC CONCEPT PLAN. I appreciate that many of you may not be familiar with the Concept Plan or even be aware of it, so this is a good opportunity to provide further context and inform you of how you can contribute to the Concept Plan moving forward.

The purpose of the Concept Plan is to provide an indicative illustration of preliminary considerations and ideas for the possible future renewal and revitalisation of the SEC. The intent of the Concept Plan is to provide a basic starting point for discussions, collaboration and actions by stakeholders seeking to ensure the long-term future of the SEC.

In late 2021, following an endorsement from the Equestrian WA Board, the SEC Committee engaged the services of urban planning and design firm Taylor Burrell Barnett to produce the Concept Plan. For further context and to familiarise yourself with the Concept Plan, please CLICK HERE. 

The Concept Plan received letters of support from stakeholders including EWA Committees and other organisations who utilise the SEC. Equestrian WA subsequently had positive and productive meetings with the City of Swan and Jessica Shaw MLA for Swan Hills regarding the Concept Plan. The next phase of the project will require the development of a business plan/case going forward. A business plan will expand beyond the Concept Plan by analysing the feasibility, viability and sustainability of the project from a financial and operational perspective

It is Equestrian WA’s intention to fund the development of the business plan through the support of government and the private sector rather than solely drawing on our own resources, and to have secured the funding commitment over the coming months.

On behalf of Equestrian WA and as our most important asset, I invite all of our members to contribute your feedback and thoughts regarding the Concept Plan.

Your feedback and comments regarding the Concept Plan will be used as the basis for ongoing discussions between key stakeholders and will play a crucial role in how the project moves forward. Our member voice is invaluable and vital in shaping the future direction of the SEC, as well as underpinning the future success of our organisation and equestrian sport in WA.

I encourage you to share your thoughts via your relevant sport discipline committee or club by Friday 29 July, 2022. This can be in the shape of an email, phone call, or in person. Your committee will then work with Equestrian WA to collate your feedback. Equestrian WA will then provide an update on the next steps of the process.

Thank you in advance for your feedback and your involvement in this important project as we continue to build an exciting future for our community and our sport. If we continue to work together, we will be taking giant strides to achieving something that we all desire - leaving a legacy to ensure that equestrian thrives as a sport in Western Australia for generations to come.

Zac Acott

Chief Executive Officer

Equestrian WA