Study Recommended for Show Place Arena

It looks like tough times are ahead for The Show Place Arena and equestrian center in Upper Marlboro. 

In October, The Washington Post wrote a story about the facility's so-called spending irregularities.

According to the report, a draft audit criticized the arena's operations and questioned more than $200,000 in expenditures by manager William Chambers. The audit also criticized Chambers’ use of his official car, among other things.

On Monday, The Washington Examiner reported that the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission has asked the Maryland Stadium Authority to conduct a $40,000 study on The Show Place Arena and equestrian center.

The study, according to the report, is supposed to examine the arena’s financial operations and recommend cost-cutting strategies. The commission owns and operates the arena.

The arena serves as a gathering place for the community—a building where residents can see a wrestling match, a horse show, or a local high school graduation. 

"If there's value in that arena and value for the equine industry, we need to know," Maryland Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller told The Examiner.