Groundbreaking for new facilities at PARDS

By Erika Rolling

Community

Three organizations donate over $230,000 for two new outbuildings at PARDS

Sep 16, 2022 | 3:34 PM

The Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society is excited to make operations easier with the help of funding from the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie, and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

The new facility built in 2018 sits on 55 acres of land to provide Equine Assisted Therapy to Peace Country residents with a clinical diagnosis whether it be developmental, physical, or behavioral. Inclusive programs are also offered for people of all abilities.

The three organizations have allocated over $230,000 to add a hay & shavings shed, and a garage and storage shed.

PARDS Executive Director Jennifer Douglas says the donations will make their jobs easier and more efficient.

“The winters are very cold here, so when you have to move a hay bale with the tractor or skid steer, to not have to wait 20 minutes for it to warm up so you’re not damaging the equipment, will be very important.”

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The old shavings storage shelter collapsed last winter due to heavy snowfall.

Douglas says some of their equipment do not have enclosed cabs so it will be nice to have them stored inside for the colder months.

“Up to now, it (equipment) was stored in the barn over the winter months. That creates a bit of a hazard and safety concerns.”

“We have been very fortunate.”

She says construction if everything goes to plan should be done before the snow falls, “but you never know when that is actually going to be.”

The Rotary Club of Grande Prairie donated $166,910, the County of Grande Prairie donated $50,000, and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. $15,000 to cover the entire cost of the two projects.

Past President of the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie Bruce Tattrie says, “We donated hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to PARDS… and I don’t see that going away.”

“You can’t ask for something better than this for our community,” he notes.

PARDS Facility