New barn opened for Newfoundland Pony Sanctuary

Hundreds of people gathered in Change Islands Saturday to celebrate the new barn opening for the Newfoundland Pony Sanctuary.

While the structure isn't fully completed, the non-profit organization held its ribbon cutting ceremony at an afternoon event.

The organization was the winner of the $90,000 Aviva Community Fund last year.

Carolyn Parsons Chaffey, the sanctuary's project coordinator, said the new red barn is a dream come true for the group.

"It represents something that we can do in our little community here for the entire province, and for the breed of Newfoundland Pony, and we can make a real difference at getting those numbers back up and operating it as it should be and doing what should be done for these ponies," she said.

Parsons Chaffey added that while the barn isn't finished, it's a great feeling to be nearly there.

"The electrical is not quite hooked up yet [but] it's coming. It had to be inspected, and we haven't done our well and septic system, so we have some things left to do," she said.

Once the site is completed in the fall, the organization will move the ponies in and begin a breeding program aimed at raising hope for the future of the endangered breed.

The new facility will have 14 stalls, a tack room, as well as electricity and running water.