Claremont Therapeutic Riding Centre Wins $10.6 Million Grant for Relocation
The Claremont Therapeutic Riding Centre has been awarded a significant $10.6 million grant to facilitate its relocation, making way for the expanded Graylands Hospital redevelopment project. This funding, announced by the Cook Government on Thursday, fulfills a promise made during the 2025 election campaign and marks a pivotal moment for the organisation that has operated at the Graylands site since 1972.
New Facility and Relocation Details
The centre, which serves both able-bodied riders and individuals with disabilities, will not need to move far. Its new location will be situated opposite the Graylands Hospital site at 9 John XXIII Avenue, where the well-used arenas and stables will be replicated. The relocation is anticipated to occur in 2027, coinciding with the end of the centre's current extended lease and preceding the scheduled start of site work at Graylands.
As the longest continuing organisation providing riding for the disabled in Western Australia, the centre plays a crucial role in the community. It conducts eight lessons daily from Monday to Friday, serving 150 clients per week, supported by six employees and 60 dedicated volunteers.
Excitement for the Future
CEO Jacqui Moon expressed enthusiasm about the relocation, stating, "We are very excited and have been very involved with the progress of the project and are looking forward to starting a new chapter for CTRC in our new facilities when they are completed." This move represents an exciting next chapter for the organisation, ensuring its vital services continue uninterrupted.
Graylands Hospital Redevelopment Project
The relocation aligns with the next stage of the Government's Graylands campus project, which has appointed national company ADCO Constructions to begin the design process. Announced in 2023, the $218.9 million development plan aims to repurpose the ageing facility to deliver more contemporary mental health services.
Key components of the project include:
- Western Australia's first child and adolescent forensic mental health unit, an eight-bed facility providing specialised care for young people involved in the criminal justice system.
- 32 new sub-acute male forensic mental health beds.
- An Integrated Patient Services and Rehabilitation Centre.
Transforming Mental Health Services
Health and Mental Health Minister Meredith Hammat emphasised the project's transformative impact, noting it will deliver more therapeutic, recovery-focused environments for some of the most vulnerable community members. "A key component of this project is the delivery of Western Australia's first dedicated child and adolescent forensic mental health unit, which will provide specialised care for young people who require treatment in a secure and supportive environment," she said. "This project is about ensuring our mental health system can continue providing appropriate trauma-informed care."
The grant ensures the Claremont Therapeutic Riding Centre can maintain its essential services while supporting the broader redevelopment efforts at Graylands, benefiting both the riding community and mental health patients across Western Australia.
