Straight from the horse's mouth: the Squamish Valley Equestrian Association will soon be able to ride all year round, after they were able to secure funding to relocate a donated indoor arena.
The new structure was formerly used by Howe Sound Stables and is currently located on a Finch Drive property. The land was recently sold, and the building was offered to the equestrian association if they could remove it quickly at their own cost.
Association president Kim Lawrence said having an indoor area will mean programs can continue during the winter months despite snow, ice, and frozen ground.
The covered space will especially help extend the riding season in Squamish for inexperienced riders and therapy riding programs.
"The biggest thing is getting the horses and the kids out of the elements, so that we can run programs 12 months long, instead of six months long. Especially for the Therapeutic Riding Association, for autistic children, those with special needs, we can get them out of the environment," said Lawrence.
"This puts us in a safe place for not only the riders but also the horses," added association vice-president Nicole Murray.
She added that the use of the facility might also extend to dog agility events, indoor soccer camps, winter farmers markets or other large gatherings in need of covered space.
The steel-and-canvas arena is 72 by 144 square feet. Lawrence said the organization sought two quotes and they're estimating it'll cost around $27,000 to take down the structure.
At a committee meeting on Tuesday, the organization pleaded with the council to help provide that funding.
Mayor Patricia Heintzman joked that council didn't want to "look a gift horse in the mouth," and they were eager to help the equestrian association.
Based on the currently proposed budget numbers, councillors agreed they weren't able to provide the fully requested amount of $30,000 as a Community enhancement grant. Instead, they voted to give the association a grant for $15,000.
Developer Bob Cheema, who attended the committee meeting to speak on a different issue, offered to match the grant and provide $15,000 on behalf of his business.
Both Murray and Lawrence said they were thrilled to receive both sources of funding.
"It's fantastic, we're blown away," said Lawrence. "It means we can get it taken down."
The organization estimates they'll need an additional $50,000 to reinstall the structure on their leased land, but that portion of the funding has less urgency.
The association is planning to fundraise and apply for additional grants to reconstruct the arena in the future, but the funding secured on Tuesday will guarantee the organization can keep the structure.
