The Town of Camp Verde received three applications for the operations and management of the Camp Verde Equestrian Center after releasing a request for proposals on Dec. 8.
The Camp Verde Town Council approved the termination of the rodeo grounds lease agreement between the town and the Camp Verde Arena Association on Dec. 3, following CVAA’s vote to deny a proposed lease amendment on Nov. 13.
The town had requested the CVAA provide financial reports as required by law to verify the nonprofit’s budget, revenue, expenses and funding sources to avoid conflicts or potential violations of the Gift Clause in Article 9, Section 7 of the Arizona Constitution. The CVAA has until Tuesday, March 31, for CVAA to fully vacate the premises.
Following the notice of termination, town staff developed a request for qualifications to solicit organizations for the operation, management and promotion of the center.
The RFQ stated that the town’s goal is to partner with an operator “who can elevate the facility as a premier regional equine destination, expand event programming, support local economic development, and maintain a strong, collaborative working relationship with the Town.”
The RFQ outlines the minimum expectations of operational management, marketing, maintenance, event management, long-term strategic development and financial transparency.
The request closed Feb. 5 at 1 p.m. Three organizations submitted applications: Arizona Rally Association, Bryson Ranch LLC and The Sports Facilities Companies.
â– Arizona Rally Association is an organization based out of Flagstaff that organizes motorsport events and specializes in rallycross and stage rally events.
AZRA has been in business for three years and is run by Sean Spring and Justin McBee. Spring has managed and operated multiple events at the Camp Verde Equestrian Center and McBee has operated out of more than five venues across Arizona. AZRA has experience providing ground management, marketing and operations for events, according to its application.
â– Bryson Ranch LLC is a ranch management and event production company formed in 2007 and run by Tanner Bryson. Based in the Verde Valley, Bryson stated he has been managing ranches and facilities and events for more than 40 years.
Bryson Ranch has managed equestrian and livestock facilities for 19 years and is currently located at Arena del Loma. Before relocating to Camp Verde, the organization developed and operated DA Ranch and B Cross Performance Horses in Page Springs. It specializes in equestrian-related events with a focus on team roping, barrel racing, breakaway and rodeo functions.
â– The Sports Facilities Companies is a sports and recreation advisory, development and management firm based out of Clearwater, Florida, that specializes in partnering with cities, counties and public entities to enhance publicly owned venues, according to its application.
Formed in 2003, it aims to improve the health and economy of the communities it works with, and has assisted projects in more than 3,000 communities. It has experience transitioning and managing venues that were formerly municipal operations, according to its application, including the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, the Fort Bend Epicenter, a regional events complex in Fort Bend County, Texas, and the East Texas A&M Ag Arena, a multi-use agricultural/equestrian venue.
