Relief for RDA

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Description: By FRANKIE WEBB

Local entrepreneur Wayne Bishop confirmed there will be changes at the old Kimberley Centre which he purchased for an undisclosed sum.

"I have only taken over the property, I am working with a lot of ideas, I can't be specific at this stage, - Mr Bishop told Horowhenua Chronicle. "I can confirm Levin's Riding for the Disabled group have a home here for the immediate future."
RDA is a voluntary, not-for-profit organisation which provides opportunities for anyone with a disability to participate in safe, therapeutic horse riding in New Zealand. The Levin group has operated out of the centre for over 30 years having an all weather surface, stables and club rooms.
They feared the sale of the Kimberley Centre would result in the organisation having to relocate. Finding somewhere to accommodate nine horses with a suitable riding area wouldn't be an easy task.
"We did have a plan B up our sleeve," RDA president Rick Schimpf said. "We were going to approach Horowhenua District Council for help, and possibly the Levin and Foxton Racecourses as well as Horowhenua A.P. and I Association. We are very relieved, and grateful, Wayne has confirmed we are still welcome here."
The RDA group caters for riders from Kapiti to Manawatu, the next closest groups being Silverstream and Hawera.