MIDLAND, Texas — The Midland County Horseshoe went through plenty of transition in 2023, and the changes continue.
Security has been required for any event held on their grounds, with the renter having to pay for security. However, exceptions could be made moving forward.
It was a topic of conversation at Tuesday's Midland County Commissioners’ Court meeting. No action was taken for an updated venue policy when it comes to event security, but that is what the Horseshoe will be working on in the coming weeks.
A space like the Horseshoe sees plenty of activity.
“No event is ever the same," said Ken Olson, director of the Midland County Horseshoe.
That reality makes event security a challenge.
“There [are] several different factors that go into every event that could make it [to] where we need additional eyes, we need additional security or there’s even [an] instance where we might not need as much," Olson said.
“We have so many different events at the Horseshoe, and many events on the same days and happening simultaneously," Olson said.
Those events come with variations.
“How many people are attending?," Olson said. "Do you have alcohol versus no alcohol? Do you have, is it public versus private – like a wedding reception or a quince – instead of an expo or any sort of different event where the public could come in versus someone that someone booked privately for their own group or family and friends and that kind of event.”
Those different scenarios are what makes these efforts unique.
“There [are] new events that come up and there [are] returning events that come back of how they’re used to running things, and we want them to return -- we don’t want to lose any events over anything," Olson said. "We’re just trying to make it fair and as safe and secure across the board as possible.”
For a space like the Horseshoe, event security is a priority.
“Do everything we can to keep the facility safe, the staff safe, attendees safe and lessees safe," Olson said. "So, security and getting it right is our utmost importance, that’s why we’re spending a lot of time on it, so, just trying to get it right.”
As work continues to refine the venue policy on event security, the Horseshoe will now be providing discretion on whether security will be needed or not for upcoming events. Olson added that the plan is to finalize something at the next commissioners' court meeting on Feb. 20.