A new indoor riding arena near Kenora will provide year-round access to equine programming centred on connection, confidence and healing.
The Ontario government is providing $1.51 million to build a new arena at the Youth and Family Wellness Camp, which is owned and operated by the Kenora Chiefs Advisory.
The semi-heated, insulated arena will include common areas and provide a dedicated indoor space for the camp’s equine program. It will allow programming to continue through the winter and accommodate growing demand from children, youth and families from across Treaty 3 territory.
“For many of the children, youth and families we serve, time spent on the land with our horses opens a door to connection, confidence and healing in a way traditional programming cannot,” said Stefanie Bryant, Executive Director of the Youth and Family Wellness Camp.
In a news release, Bryant said the indoor arena will allow the KCA to offer safe, culturally grounded programming year-round, giving more young people from the region an opportunity to participate, even during the year’s coldest months.
The Youth and Family Wellness Camp offers culturally grounded health and wellness programming for Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants.
The camp brings together treatment, culture, recreation and reconciliation. Its grounds already include stables, paddocks and riding trails, along with cabins, a mess hall, art studio, welcome centre and ceremonial spaces.
Demand for the equine program has been growing, but Northwestern Ontario’s winters have limited how often outdoor riding activities can be offered. The indoor arena will provide a safe space for participants to spend time with the horses regardless of the weather.
Bryant said the project will make a lasting difference for the children and families who use the camp.
“We are deeply grateful to the Ontario government, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and Minister Greg Rickford for investing in a facility that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families for generations,” she said.
As Kenora-Rainy River’s Member of Provincial Parliament, Rickford said the project builds on the vision Ogimawaabiitong has established for the wellness camp and reflects the community partnerships behind its growth.
Funding for the arena is being provided through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), a regional investment-based subsidiary of the provincial government.
The province did not provide a construction timeline or the project’s total cost in its announcement.
