Way is paved for $1.1m riding facility

Reverend Tom Poata (right) offers encouragement to Waikuta No 2 Trust chairman Alex Wilson who turned the sod at the Riding for the Disabled's new arena. Photo / Stephen Parker

The sod has been turned and work will officially begin on the new Riding for the Disabled Olympic-sized covered equestrian arena.

A ceremony to launch the $1.1 million horse riding facility yesterday had a strong turn-out, Riding for the Disabled's Linda Hunt said.

"There was a really good attendance. Lots of people came along and gave us support."

The organisation, which helps people with physical, intellectual, emotional and social challenges develop confidence through horse riding, will move from its current site in Lee Rd, Hannahs Bay, to a 6.8ha section in Parawai Rd, Ngongotaha, once building is completed.

The facility is expected to be completed within the year and would improve the RDA experience immensely, Mrs Hunt said.

"The kids can come to us every day. Currently if it's raining they can't come because we haven't got a covered arena.

"It will give continuity and there will be an improvement in a lot of our children physically and socially".

The facility will include a meeting room, and a sensory trail through a forest area for children to experience different textures, sounds and sights.

The organisation currently caters for more than 76 children from the Rotorua district.

As the RDA operated on a school-term basis, the organisation planned to hire out its arena to other equestrian groups when it was not in use, she said.

She said the RDA was looking for people to help with secretarial and social media roles.

Anyone interested in helping can visit www.rda.org.nz/RDAgroups/Rotorua, or contact Mrs Hunt on (07) 345 9521.