A pair of soon to be built outbuildings have officials with the Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society hopeful that winter this year will be made a whole lot easier for staff.
The buildings, under construction thanks to a combined $230,000 donation of funding from the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd, and the County of Grande Prairie, will be used for hay and shaving storage, as well as general equipment storage.
PARDS Executive Director Jennifer Douglas says the buildings can make a big difference when it comes to not only storing, but maintaining equipment in a way that it could help it run smoother, and last longer.
“The winters are very cold here, so when you have to move a hay bale with a tractor or skid steer, to not have to wait 20 minutes it to get up to the temperature it needs to get to so you’re not damaging the equipment will be very important,” she adds.
Douglas says the new space will not only make it better for equipment, but for staff who are having to be up and out long before the sun hits the horizon.
“They’re not enclosed with a windshield, or anything, so they do get very cold. To have them start out a little bit more friendly to the staff, and just not having to wait that amount of time.”
PARDS offers equine-assisted therapy to Peace Country residents which involves a range of activities interacting mainly with horses as a means to promote physical and mental health for disabled individuals.