Windsor, Ontario, May 14, 2010 - Jeff Watson, Member of Parliament for Essex, Bruce Crozier, Member of Provincial Parliament for Essex, and Sue Klotzer, Program Director, Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association (WETRA), today celebrated the groundbreaking for a new riding facility in Windsor.
WETRA provides educational therapeutic services for disabled children, at risk youth, families, schools and summer camp attendees. The new facility will be located on approximately 83 acres which will have customized trails for disabled individuals. There will also be an indoor and outdoor arena, stables, an office space, a kitchen, and a classroom.
"The new facility will allow WETRA to continue delivering its exceptional therapeutic services where all riders can develop new skills and gain confidence in their ability to meet challenges," said MP Watson. "As we continue to implement Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is committed to providing funding for infrastructure projects that will benefit Canadian communities for years to come."
"I am proud to be part of a project that will ensure this unique program for disabled children and at risk youth can grow to welcome even more participants," said MPP Crozier. "Our government's five-year Open Ontario plan is about opening doors for growth and opportunities. Helping young people realize their full potential is a source of great community pride."
"By building a new and larger facility, WETRA will be able to expand its services to meet the needs of the special needs community in Windsor and Essex County," said Ms. Klotzer. "With the support from the federal and provincial governments our new facility will allow us to provide a legacy of therapeutic riding for years to come."
Total eligible project costs are estimated at $2,368,995. The governments of Canada and Ontario have each committed $724,640 toward this project. WETRA will contribute the balance of funding.
Federal support for this project is being provided through the $4 billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, a key component of Canada's Economic Action Plan, which invests in infrastructure projects across Canada to stimulate economic activity and create jobs.
The contribution from the Province of Ontario comes from its 2009 provincial budget that is supporting more than 300,000 jobs and strengthening Ontario's economy.
Since 2007, the governments of Canada and Ontario have committed more than $13 billion in funding to more than 6,400 infrastructure projects across the province.
Contacts:
Office of Jeff Watson
MP for Essex
519-776-4700
Office of Bruce Crozier
MPP for Essex
519-776-6420
Sue Klotzer
Program Director, WETRA
519-969-1261
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
