SL Equestrian Club Renovates The Stables With Community Help

The Seven Lakes Equestrian Club has taken on their biggest project yet with a renovation of the barn office and a stall that had been used as the “volunteer lounge”.  The club exists to support the Seven Lakes Stables and take on projects outside of the normal operating budget.  It is a volunteer organization that operates solely on donations and fund raising.  In the past they have taken on projects such as new shutters for the barn, t-shirts for the staff, volunteers, and lesson program, and the annual haunted barn at Halloween for the community.

The club used most of the funds raised over the past two years to create a clean, comfortable space for the staff and volunteers to store their belongings and take breaks in while working at the barn.   A doorway was cut to join the office and the stall next door. The stall was walled in and proper doors were added to make a break room area.  They installed a heating/air unit so the hard-working volunteers have access to warmth in the winter and all-important cool in the summer. 

This replaced the wall-mounted heater and window a/c that were in the office, but did not reach the neighboring stall.  Instead of second-hand folding tables, they now have installed counter space.  There is an abundance of cabinet space to store things, so they are no longer in boxes and tubs everywhere.  Both rooms have been re-painted. A new desk, microwave, and coffee pot were donated by one family. 

Nearly all the materials for this project were sourced from the community.  Residents provided old cabinets, a counter top, shelves, lumber, and paint from their garages.  Many residents stepped up asking what they could purchase to help, or wrote checks to contribute.  Others provided an incredible amount of labor, helped with hauling away the old non-functional refrigerator and the debris from construction, painting, and building.  It was truly a community effort, and so wonderful to see the outpouring of support.  With a meager starting budget of $3,000 and a lot of resourcefulness, Terry & Gary Livingston of Faux You Designs and Mark Livingston took action and made a space that is supremely functional but also beautiful.

The stables staff and volunteers would like to give a giant thank you to Terry, Gary, and Mark for all their hard work, and to Mark & Shay Piemonte, Lisa Reed, Shawna Bateman, Alicia Bryant, June, Sarah Casey, Donna Cantwell, Mark Widman, David Widman, Daryl Layton, Mary Farley, Shannon Goode, Chris Yale & his brother, and everyone else who contributed with donations and supporting Equestrian Club fund-raisers. 

We do not have words big enough to express our gratitude.

Contributed By: Crystal Fravel