Covered arena for Bay's RDA

Kaikohe East School pupil Stephen Harris, 7, shows off his riding skills during the opening of Bay of Islands RDA's covered arena. PHOTO/ PETER DE GRAAF

Thirteen years of planning, fundraising and sheer hard work finally paid off when Bay of Islands Riding for the Disabled opened its own covered arena.

The 47m x 27m steel building, on showgrounds land at Waimate North, means riding sessions can now go ahead in any weather.

About 200 people turned out for the official opening last Saturday. Far North Mayor John Carter cut the ribbon and brought along his 90-year-old mum, Gwen Carter, who was treated to a ride on one of the horses as soon as the formalities were over.

Mr Carter said the huge fundraising effort was a testament to the Bay of Islands community.

"This is a community that does things for itself, it doesn't wait around for someone else to do it," he said.

Once the new building was blessed by kaumatua Tappy Anderson and the ribbon was cut, children showed off their riding skills with the help of a small army of volunteers.

Fundraising committee member Mary Topham said the first deposit, the result of a fundraising trek, was paid in 2001. Five more treks, and many other events, had been held since then.

The weather was always an issue. More distant schools had been reluctant to send children because they could not be sure if riding would go ahead.

A SNIP: Far North Mayor John Carter cuts the ribbon with RDA Bay of Islands patron Lynne Mountain and president Yvonne Sharp. PHOTO/DEBBIE BEADLE

The group raised a third of the $360,000 needed to build the arena while the Lotto Community Facilities Fund contributed the balance. It was built by Kerikeri firm A-Line Builders. Fundraising is continuing for the interior fit-out.

Bay of Islands RDA currently works with 26 children aged 4-11 from Towai to Kaeo.

It has six horses and about 35 volunteers. The group has a 99-year lease on the land from the Bay of Islands Pastoral and Industrial Association.