Morgan Horse Pavilion at Kentucky Horse Park Progress Reported at American Morgan Horse Association Convention
RELEASE: May 12, 2009
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Linda Hall
The Morgan Horse Pavilion at Kentucky Horse Park Committee of the American Morgan Horse Institute introduced three-dimensional models of the Pavilion and a comprehensive set of architectural perspectives to those in attendance at the American Morgan Horse Association Convention in Sacramento, CA, in February.
“The Morgan Horse Pavilion at Kentucky Horse Park Project (MHP at KHP) has achieved several milestones since its initial approved by the AMHI (American Morgan Horse Institute) last September,” said Bob Morgan, President of the AMHI Board. “The Kentucky Horse Park approved the building design and plan in January 2009. This paved the way for site surveys, core drilling, and other pre-construction engineering initiatives currently under way.”
This building will be the first “green” building on the campus of the Horse Park. “The design is not only functional but environmentally advanced. An example of this is that we will capture rain water and circulate it to water our vegetation and provide a flow in our stream and waterfalls,” stated architect Yum Kee Fu. In addition, there are plans to create a geothermal heating and cooling system so that operating cost will be substantially reduced.
“We are grateful to architect Yum Kee Fu of Dragonsmeade for his donation of the design of the Pavilion and for his continued efforts to bring it to life.” said Elaine Galatz, Pavilion Committee Chair. “Kee has worked tirelessly to design the building and to develop the models and perspectives introduced at a convention reception sponsored by Pavilion Committee Members Fran Pugh, Jill Smith, and Susie Fu. The enthusiasm and support for the project continues to build.”
The first floor of the pavilion will feature an Immersive Theater, four exhibit areas, a gift shop, several interactive kiosks, and a “Wall of Honor” recognizing major donors. The second floor will be home to the pavilion’s “Equine Education Center”—featuring classrooms, a conference room and offices. The pavilion will be surrounded by a traditional “Kentucky Stone Fence” with pathways winding through Legacy and Tribute Gardens honoring Morgan horses from Figure, the foundation sire to Morgans in our lives today. Commemorative bricks and patio stone in the garden pathways will be engraved to recognize contributors and to honor individuals, family members, and Morgan horses that have touched our lives...from the “Champions in the Ring to the Champions in Our Hearts.”
The goal of the “Path to the Pavilion Campaign” is to raise the $5 million required to build and furnish the pavilion and theater, to prepare the exhibits, and to landscape the gardens. This goal includes an endowment that will supplement park and theater admission fees to support the operation, maintenance, and ongoing development of the facility and exhibits.
There are a significant number of naming opportunities and donor recognition levels associated with the campaign. Contributors of $1,000 and above made prior to the opening of the pavilion will be recognized as members of The Founder’s Society. Donors of $50,000 and above will receive a limited edition bronze statue of “Figure,” created by sculptor and Morgan owner Maretta Kennedy.
“The Pavilion will showcase many aspects of the Morgan experience,” said Project Manager Linda Hall of Carriage House Promotions. “If you have interest in assisting, making an individual or business contribution, or if you have contacts with corporations or foundations that you feel may have interest in collaboration and supporting this high visibility project, please contact us. There are full details regarding the Pavilion Project on the AMHA and AMHI Websites and at
www.morganhorse-khp.org.”
The Kentucky Horse Park is known as “the National Horse Park” and attracts tens of thousand of tourists annually. Over a million additional spectators will vi