Dreams Go On Barn Groundbreaking Ceremony
We are proud to work with partners and leaders in our community on the New Barn project for Dreams Go On! The groundbreaking, held on December 5th, was well attended—and a bit chilly!
P. JOSEPH LEHMAN, Inc. Consulting Engineers is providing overall project management including grantsmanship services, site design, and site inspection for the project. Bowman Excavation, Paving & Concrete Construction is performing all site work. The general contractor for the barn construction is Lawruk Builders. Inc. Joseph A. Oricko Architect & Associates, P.C. is providing barn design and inspection. Reliance Bank has provided financing for the unfunded liability.
A $1 million PA state grant to support the Dreams Go On, Inc. Therapeutic Riding Center was among several Blair County projects approved on March 16, 2023, for financing from the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). The CFA approved the Dreams Go On, Inc. grant from Local Share Account (LSA) funding, which uses gaming revenue, not tax dollars, to support projects in the public interest across the commonwealth. Through the LSA Program, grant sponsor Frankstown Township, of Blair County, PA was awarded $1 million on behalf of Dreams Go On, Inc., for construction and engineering costs associated with building a new barn and indoor riding facility. Thanks to Rep. Gregory and Senator Judy Ward for helping to make the million dollar facility a possibility with the LSA Grant!
Since the $1 million LSA grant will not cover the entire cost of the new facility, Dreams Go On, Inc. has begun fundraising. The group hopes to raise multiyear commitments from local supporters for the $400,000 in unfunded liability through naming sponsorships and fundraisers. Interested donors should contact the DGO Barn Fundraising Chairperson, Betsy Lehman at BLehman@LehmanEngineers.com or 814-381-5527. Lehman will also meet with large and small groups interested in conducting fundraisers for Dreams GO On, Inc. Unfilled horse stall rental will also become a source of additional revenue. Donations to support the “Raise the Barn” fund can be made online at: https://www.dreamsgoon.com/donations or mail checks payable to Dreams Go On, Inc. (Memo: Raise the Barn Fund), c/o Betsy Lehman/ Brenda Fix 311 Heather Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602.
Partners in Dreams Go On Barn Groundbreaking Ceremony(From Left to Right): Joe Lehman, P.E., President of P. JOSEPH LEHMAN, Inc. Consulting Engineers; Jim Frank, Client Services Director, P. JOSEPH LEHMAN, Inc. Consulting Engineers; Rick Bowman, Owner of Bowman Excavation, Paving & Concrete; Joe Oricko, Joseph A. Oricko Architect & Associates, P.C.; Blair County Commissioner: Dave Kessling; Morey A. Lawruk, Vice President of Lawruk Builders, Inc.; Sarah Stanley, DGO Instructor; Senator Judy Ward of PA’s 30th District; “Rocky” DGO Horse; State Representative Jim Gregory of PA’s 80th District; Cory Tubo, Senior Vice President of Reliance Bank; Deb Kelly, DGO Program Manager; Tracy Pellegrino, DGO Steering Committee Chairwoman; Dana Gority, DGO President of the Board of Directors; and representatives from Frankstown Township: Manager H.T Fownes, Board of Supervisors Chairman George Henry, and Vice Chairman James Callahan.
