“The dream is coming true,” Director Debbie Kelly said this week, as riders, staff and horses prepare for their upcoming riding season.

Dreams Go On, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit program, aims to help physically and/or emotionally challenged individuals with horseback riding therapy. They are the Altoona Mirror’s Season of Sharing recipient.

Frontier Construction and Lawruk Builders are “plugging away,” board of directors Vice President Tracy Pellegrino said, adding that the rest of the roof was expected to be complete by the end of the week.

“It’s been a long project,” she said. “But we’re doing pretty well.”

“Everything seems to be moving along quite well,” Dreams Go On Inc. director Debbie Kelly said of the construction of their new barn, which is expected to be ready to move in by May. Mirror photos by Patrick Waksmunski

When asked about the blue roof, Kelly said they were inspired by a mock-up barn using a gray and blue color scheme.

Which is better than dealing with white and cream, Pellegrino said, because they will be dealing with “a lot of dirt.”

With the structure “under roof,” contractors will soon begin work on the barn floor, the indoor arena, observation room, office and 12 horse stalls.

An outdoor arena, round ring and pastures will be available around the barn.

While the barn’s budgeted projected cost remains under $2 million, additional expenses such as an approved firewall are adding to the overall cost, Pellegreino said.

Adding plumbing and electricity to the barn can become more expensive.

Speaking with contractors, however, she said there are “no pending glitches” with the barn’s construction.

“Everything seems to be moving along quite well,” she said.

Now that Dreams Go On will have their designated space along an offset on Turkey Valley Road, 206 Dream Road, they can offer more opportunities to the public such as a daytime therapeutic program, Kelly said.

“It’s going to be great because we can serve more people,” she said, adding that their elongated waitlist is likely to shrink soon.

Kelly said it’s a “wonderful feeling” watching the new barn take shape.

“I’m looking forward to all of our opportunities” come spring 2026, she said.

Information about donating the Dreams Go On through Season of Sharing, see Page B12.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.