County orders study on raceway viability

Spokane County commissioners took their interest in acquiring Spokane Raceway Park to a new level Tuesday.

Commissioners unanimously directed Parks and Recreation Manager Doug Chase to find a consulting firm to tell them whether it makes sense to purchase the motor sports complex near Airway Heights. They want to know whether it can generate enough income to be self-sustaining and enough economic development to warrant the risk.

Commissioners also formed a committee of technical advisers to help them gather information and establish the scope of the consulting study.

The 592-acre race complex at 101 N. Hayford Road is in court-ordered receivership and is expected to be sold to pay off investors who put up $2.5 million to build the three-track speedway in the early 1970s and got nothing in return. A Superior Court judge has ruled that Spokane Raceway Park operator Orville Moe improperly failed to pay dividends.

An informal group of racing enthusiasts, led by former Spokane City Attorney Jim Sloane, approached commissioners earlier this year with their concerns that a recreational facility and a valuable economic-development engine would be lost if the raceway were converted to other uses.

Sloane and other members of his group were appointed to the technical advisory committee.

Other committee members include Spokane Hotel-Motel Association President Dan Zimmerer, Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau President Harry Sladich or one of his assistants, Spokane Public Facilities District Executive Director Kevin Twohig and Eric Sawyer, executive director of the Spokane Regional Sports Commission.

Commissioners have already gotten an appraisal that touched on the park’s economic viability but have declined to disclose the results. They have said, however, that they would expect any purchase to have little or no effect on the county general fund.

Commission Chairman Mark Richard said the consulting study cost hasn’t been determined, but it likely will be paid from the general fund. The work will have to be done quickly, he said, because a court decision on whether to sell the property is expected in two to four months.