Mrs MacMillan said wheelchairs did not fit through the door of the main toilet block next to the old arena and staff and volunteers used to take towels and cushioning used by riders home to wash. ``It was run on a shoestring.''
RDA is raising funds for an industrial washing machine for the laundry and is looking for sponsorship or donations of kitchen appliances, including a microwave and dishwasher, for the arena kitchen area.
Staff and volunteers had been thrilled to see the arena taking shape: ``To see this coming together is really inspiring for them.'' Horses will now be kept in individual stables at the back of the arena, leaving the indoors clear for riding.
``We're proud of the horses, they have just carried on working around the construction without batting an eyelid,'' she said.
A tack room will be built in the middle of the stables, offering coaches and volunteers easier access to gear, while another room with wheelchair access is for riders to put on helmets and prepare to mount up.
The previous indoor arena, torn down to make way for construction, was only 20m x 40m, with horses tied up along either side indoors.
Mrs MacMillan said Western Bay disabled riders and their families were eagerly awaiting the arena's completion.
``The parents are already really excited just to see this building happen, knowing that their child won't be disappointed every time it rains.''-->