PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — An organization that manages an equestrian facility in Chestnut Hill needs to make emergency repairs to a horse barn. An effort is underway to raise funds.
Northwestern Stables, a private not-for-profit organization that operates on city-owned land, desperately needs to replace the deteriorating roof of a barn that houses about 15 horses. The building was once used for the horses of the Philadelphia Police Department’s mounted unit.
There are holes in the 30-year-old roof. The ceiling has caved in at spots, and several windows are broken or stuck open. The gutters need to be replaced too.
“This barn is a private-public partnership with the city of Philadelphia. This is city of Philadelphia land, but we are a private not-for-profit. We get no public funding,” said Jean Bochnowski, the stable’s executive director.
Northwestern mainly generates money through riding lessons and special events.
There are a total of 40 horses on the property and that includes thoroughbreds being rehabilitated, retrained and rehomed through Northwestern’s Racehorse Restart program.
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“We’re trying to raise $150,000. That will help us to replace the roof, the gutters, also the interior ceiling, where we do get some leaks,” Bochnowski said.
The repairs were a priority at one time, but COVID-19 depleted Northwestern’s resources, and the work had to be put on hold.
A campaign called “Raise the Roof” is now underway to secure money to pay for the work.
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