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Dreams Go On plan OK’d

Nonprofit looking to expand facility

Blair County Planning Commission members Thursday gave a favorable review to an expansion plan for Dreams Go On, which provides therapeutic horseback riding sessions to adults and children of Blair County who are physically challenged, receive mental, behavioral health or family therapy services.

Dreams Go On plans to construct a horse riding arena and stable on a 14.45-acre parcel along Turkey Valley Road in Frankstown Township. The improvements also include a fenced-in outdoor area, a new gravel driveway and parking lot, as well as stormwater management improvements.

The project is estimated to cost between $900,000 and $1 million and will be financed through grants and fundraising activities, said Debbie Kelly, program manager.

“This will enable us to serve more riders and our facility will become certified,” Kelly said.

Dreams Go On hopes to break ground for the project later this year, and it is expected to take about six months to complete, Kelly said.

Access to the site will be through a bi-directional gravel access driveway on Turkey Valley Road.

“Since the proposed new driveway is intersecting with a state route (2016), we recommend the developer consults PennDOT for approval if they have not already done so. Additionally, the proposed 11-foot wide access drive aisle does not appear to provide adequate vehicle circulation with regard to multi-directional traffic. We recommend, if feasible, the drive aisle be widened to accommodate vehicle ingress and egress to the site,” said MacKenzie Caron, community planner.

Caron also said there are wetlands at the site.

“We recommend that the developer arrange a wetland survey of this site to meet proper local, state and federal regulations pertinent to development and encroachment in wetland inventories delineated and not,” Caron said.

Caron also said the proposed plan includes a rain garden and bioretention area.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.

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