MIDLAND The elements will no longer keep Starlight Therapeutic Riding Center from fulfilling its mission to improve the mental health, physical ability, and cognitive skills of people living with disabilities.
The therapeutic riding center, located at 5401 Polo Club Road, Midland, recently held a ground-breaking ceremony to commemorate the construction of a new indoor riding arena and sensory trail. The new facility includes a 72 X 128 square foot indoor riding arena, a viewing area for parents and caregivers, a restroom, a storage area, and a multi-purpose area. An outdoor sensory trail will extend from the arena and follow the perimeter of the property.
Starlight Executive Director, Gina Friedman, said, “The wind and weather have posed significant scheduling challenges for our program – breaking ground on a new indoor arena is something that we’ve been looking forward to for a long time.”
“Our participants rely on consistency in their daily routine. Interruptions to their schedule due to inclement weather can result in stress and anxiety, making it difficult for them to achieve their therapeutic goals,” Friedman said.
The $441,000 construction project is funded through grants and monetary gifts raised during Starlight’s 2020 Capital Campaign.
“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the individuals, foundations, and businesses in the Permian Basin,” Friedman said. “Our target was to raise the funds in one year, but we achieved our campaign goal in nine months thanks to our community’s giving spirit.”
The following local foundations awarded funds for the indoor riding arena: The FMH Foundation, $150,000 Grant; The Scharbauer Foundation, $100,000 Challenge Grant; The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, $88,000 Challenge Grant; Davis Partners Ltd, $50,000 Grant; The Henry Foundation, $50,000 Grant; The Holt Catania Foundation, $10,000 Grant; and Concho Resources (Conoco Phillips), $10,000 Sensory Trail Donation. Starlight anticipates that the facility will be completed by September.
Starlight Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service.
For more information, call 432-741-5773 or visit www.starlightmidland.org.
