By Justine Kelsie

VIDEO: PARDS membership grows with new therapeutic centre

Sep 4, 2018 | 3:39 PM

The new therapeutic facility for the Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society is ready to be shown off to the public.
 
Although the building located east of Evergreen Park has been used since September of last year, the grand opening event is coming up on September 15. Executive Director Jennifer Douglas says throughout the year they were finishing small projects like exterior work.
 
“We are ready to introduce the entire community to the new facility and recognize that they were all such a big part of getting us to this point.”
 
The event will include a barn dance with Trevor Panczak debuting a new PARDS song. There will also be a pitchfork fondue as well as live and silent auctions.
 
Douglas says membership has grown since introducing the new building.
 
“Before, you needed to have a clinical diagnosis in order to access PARDS programs. We have incorporated some programs that you don’t need a clinical diagnosis, our pre-school program and youth leadership program. That has jumped our membership from 350 riders to just under 600.”
 
The new centre came in at about $4.2-million. Douglas says with the old building sold, they are able to move forward. The grand opening will help raise money for the last bit of projects within the facility like installing a lift, putting some floorboards on and window coverings.
 
She says some of the new programs have ensured their own sustainability.

Tickets for the event in mid-September are on sale through PARDS or the Revolution Place box office.