More kids with special needs to saddle up thanks to enhanced facilities for therapeutic riding program

ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR--(Marketwired - Nov. 25, 2016) - The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are making infrastructure investments that will help create jobs, grow the middle class, and build inclusive communities that support vulnerable Canadians.

Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John's East, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, was joined today by the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, to announce more than $2.5 million in federal-provincial funding for the Rainbow Riders, a St. John's riding school that provides therapeutic programs for children and youth with special physical, cognitive and emotional needs.

Rainbow Riders offers a progressive form of therapy to improve strength, circulation, and sensory integration. The connections the children make with the animals also helps improve communication skills, increase self-confidence, and reduce stress.

The school will use the funding to make the riding trails more accessible to persons with disabilities, extend the outdoor riding space, integrate a new barn and feed storage area, construct a new heated riding arena, and upgrade the learning centre to include accessible washrooms, new offices and a multi-purpose room.

Once complete, this work will allow more youth to access the programs, help the school stay open year-round, and pave the way for future growth and program development.

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada is contributing $1,701,083 to this project, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $1,250,000, and the City of St. John's is providing $200,000. The remaining funding is being raised privately.
• $1,451,083 of the federal funding for this project is being provided through the Provincial-Territorial Component of the New Building Canada Fund.
• The remaining federal funding will be provided through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP150). CIP150 supports projects to renovate, expand and improve community centres, arenas, and parks across Canada to help prepare for Canada's 150th anniversary celebrations.
• The Government of Canada is committing more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years to support public transit, green and social infrastructure, transportation infrastructure that supports trade, and rural and northern communities.

Quotes

"This investment in Rainbow Riders is a great example of our government's commitment to building inclusive communities where all Canadians have the chance to grow and prosper. The dedicated staff and gentle horses here offer kids with special needs a safe, compassionate environment to challenge themselves in and I'm very pleased that government support-along with the impressive community donations-will allow even more families to benefit from this innovative therapeutic program in the future."

Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John's East

"For more than 20 years, the Rainbow Riders therapeutic riding program has done tremendous work supporting the development of exceptional children in our province. Our government is proud to join with partners at the federal and community level to support new and modern facilities that will increase capacity, and create positive experiences for many more young people in the years to come."

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan: http://www.budget.gc.ca/fes-eea/2016/docs/themes/infrastructure-en.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Newfoundland and Labrador: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html.

New Building Canada Fund - Provincial-Territorial Component: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html

New Building Canada Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html.

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada