Media release - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A very patient West Coast Riding for the Disabled (West Coast RDA) committee are very excited to see their indoor arena project get underway. Since securing $200,000 of Major District Initiative funding made available to Westland District Council by Development West Coast in 2019, the RDA have been working hard to get the project to the building stage.
“West Coast RDA are excited to see the start of this large project,” says Jane Neale, West Coast RDA Coach. “It will be a game-changer inasmuch that RDA sessions will be able to go ahead regardless of the weather. So much better for riders, for horses and for volunteers!
The build will also include additional covered yards, and a meeting room, kitchen and bathroom facilities. We will even have electric lights! Our contractor is Cohesive Design (formerly Widespan) and we hope that the site works will begin in December 2022 and the kitset buildings will arrive for erection in mid-January 2023.
West Coast RDA has been operating for 12 years, and currently has a weekly roll of approximately 70 RDA riders and 22 after school riders. This service is made possible through the input of many volunteer hours, and new volunteers are always welcomed.”
Simon Bastion, Westland District Council Chief Executive, observes. “The formal agreement for funding was signed with West Coast RDA in November 2019. It has taken a while to get to this stage, but today is a significant milestone. If all goes well, the next winter season for the West Coast RDA users and volunteers will be much more comfortable. This is a fantastic outcome for the disabled and riding communities on the West Coast.”
West Coast RDA have also received $250,000 funding from Lottery Community Facilities, and, if the application is successful, will receive almost $93,000 from the first tranche of Three Waters Better Off funding towards the indoor arena project.
ENDS
Media enquiries to:
Emma Rae, Strategy and Communications Advisor
Emma.rae@westlanddc.govt.nz
