Construction begins in May on new arena at Whitemud Equine Centre

The Whitemud Equine Centre kicked off construction on its arena replacement project with an official ground breaking on Sunday afternoon.

Actual construction on the new, fully-accessible indoor riding arena will begin at the end of May.

Thearena replaces the current deteriorating building, which was once a World War II airplane hangarrebuilt in the river valley almost 60 years ago.

The new facility will include an indoor riding ring, stables with horse stalls, two large tack rooms, teaching spaces, a multi-purpose room and indoor washrooms.

"The Whitemud Equine Learning Centre Association provides a truly special service to a broad range of citizens,"Coun. Michael Walters said in a news release.

"City council recognizes the importance of supporting the centre's vision to preserve and enhance this unique facility now and for the future."

The city contributed $5.1millionto the project, with theWhitemud Equine Learning Association borrowingthe remaining $2.5 million.

WELCA has been operating since 1999 and says about 1,000 people visit each week for itsequine-related activities and programs.

For more than 40 years, the centre has also been the home of the Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Program for persons with disabilities.

"The start of construction is an important step for our friends, sponsors and volunteers," said Trevor Christman, Chair of the WELCA Board of Directors."They have been looking forward to this day for a long time."

The old arena will be demolished once the new facility is open, and WELCAwillcontinue offering its programs throughout construction.

The new facility is expected to open in June 2017.