FUNDING TO HELP REDEVELOPMENT BLACKTOWN PONY CLUB

21 June 2016

Efforts to set up a new home for Blacktown Pony Club in Shanes Park were given a helping hand this week via the announcement of a $20,000 grant from the Chifley Stronger Communities Program.

Federal Chifley MP Ed Husic and Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali visited the new Shanes Park home of the Club this week to outline details of the new funding.

It was terrific to be able to team up with Blacktown City Council and pitch in with some funding support to help with the overall upgrade project, Mr Husic said.

Blacktown City Council is making a major investment in this project and the new funds via the Chifley Stronger Communities program will support replacement of the fencing for the lunging yard and help with other minor alterations and tree planting.

This Chifley Stronger Communities Program helps local groups expand their facilities and programs so they can keep supporting the needs of local communities.
In partnership with Blacktown City Council, the funding awarded through the Chifley Stronger Communities program has contributed to Blacktown City Councils overall commitment to invest $204,770 to undertake facility upgrades.

Blacktown City Council is grateful that Ed Husic was able to secure some funding which will help improve the facilities at Shanes Park, said the Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali.

This project is part of the relocation of the Blacktown Pony Club to Shanes Park Reserve.

This additional assistance combined with the investment by Blacktown City Council will provide a substantial improvement and upgrade to the Clubs facilities and will help them continue their remarkable work in our local area.

The redevelopment of both the Grange Sporting Horse Association and Blacktown Pony Clubs previous locations required Council to seek alternate homes for both these clubs.

In 2008, Shanes Park Reserve was identified to be the most suitable site with the capacity to accommodate both clubs and to establish the Citys centralised equestrian centre

Councils ongoing commitment and planning ensured minimal disruption to the clubs activities when it commenced operating at the reserve in February this year

Facilities at the reserve support the activities of both clubs including dressage, gymkhana, show riding, equitation, hack work, horsemanship, and one day event facilities.

For more information on the Stronger Community Grants Programme, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/ChifleyCommunityGrants15

MONDAY, 14 JUNE 2016