NAMPA Idaho (CBS2) — The ground was broken Thursday on the expansion of the Ford Idaho Horse Park to add 88 more full hook up stalls to the RV park.

Leaders of the project say the park hosts 26 to 28 horse shows a year and without this expansion there was a chance of losing some of those which would have a big impact even beyond the park.

"These competitions bring in about $30-40 million a year in economic impact to Nampa so it's a major important thing," said Curtis Homer from the Board of Directors for the Idaho Horse Park.

He gave the example of one upcoming rodeo expected to bring in $10-12 million with people from 28 states and more than 750 contestants.

"Some horse shows will bring in 500 or 800 stalls with two or three people per horse, and most of them travel with an RV and they won't have to leave their animals [when this is done]," said Homer.

According to Homer, Nampa allowed $1 million for the project, The Snake River Stampede put in $100,000, and other donors put in thousands.

The project is expected to be done in the spring.

See a rendering of the expansion here.

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