Michaela Meade
Findon Pony Club has a chance to “survive and thrive“ thanks to a funding injection from Whittlesea council.
The club has until December to vacate its current home at Regent Street, Mernda, to allow the council-owned land to be sold for future residential development.
The club has been based at the site since 1965.
In a submission to council’s 2021-22 budget, pony club president Bernice Muldoon said the club had found a new home on private land at Findon Harriers Hunt Club site on Merriang Road, Woodstock, but it would cost $271,700 to relocate to the new site.
Ms Muldoon said the relocation would include the re-establishment of sheds, classrooms, toilets, and shower facilities, connecting water supply and other services and erecting fences and preparing surfaces.
She said the club had been fundraising to help with relocation expenses but also required financial assistance from council.
Without the funding, the club could fold, she said,
The council agreed to provide the club with $62,000 as part of its 2021-22 budget.
Ms Muldoon said the funding would save the club.
“The council administrators have heard and seen us and are offering their support – for this we are extremely grateful,“ she said.
“It has allowed us to hold some hope for a future for the Findon Pony Club.”
