News Release
WARSAW — The Magical Meadows officially launched a $2 million capital campaign Thursday as part of a two-phase expansion project at the therapeutic horseback riding center in Warsaw.
Phase 1 of the “Growing with Heart” expansion project and capital campaign will include the construction of two new indoor horseback riding arenas. The east arena will boast 14,000 square feet and will be dedicated to serving veterans and first-responders through The Magical Meadows’ Warriors Mount Up program.
The 70’x200’ facility will consist of a large dirt floor riding arena, accessible restrooms, stalls for horses, a tack room, and storage for veterinary supplies and materials.
The west arena will have the same dimensions as the east facility, but its focus will be on serving individuals with disabilities and expanding the capacities of the non-profit’s legacy therapeutic horseback riding programs.
The west arena will also include a spacious observation room for families and caregivers of the riders, accessible restrooms, a tack room, and storage space.
“We are overjoyed to see our vision for the future of The Magical Meadows start to become a reality. This project has been a dream for many years, and now we’re excited to see the community rally behind it and help bring it to fruition through the Growing with Heart Capital Campaign,” said Michael Kuhn, Magical Meadows executive director.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith spoke and talked about how important it is to support law enforcement.
“PTSD is absolutely a real thing. Where it’s different now, in my opinion, the younger generation is more open to addressing some causes or emotions they are feeling or other issues that might keep them up at night,” Smith said.
“I also believe the leadership in these organizations are more understanding and we want to help when we can,” he said. “So when an organization like Magical Meadows kicks off a campaign that will be another great resource for our department, that really excites me,” Smith said.
The organization has already secured $735,000 in funding, most of which is pledged via matching funds. An anonymous donor pledged $300,000 as a matching challenge to the community, while K21 Health Foundation added another $400,000 through its most recent grant cycle. That means all donations to the campaign up to $700,000 will be matched dollar for dollar.
The first phase of the project will cost $2 million, with $1.7 million allocated to construction costs. The other $300,000 will help cover anticipated increases in operating expenses like utilities, depreciation, insurance, and the addition of two new full-time staff members for two years to help continue growth in programming.
The Magical Meadows expects to see significant increases in participant numbers thanks to the expansion of available service space. The new facilities will also be fully equipped to accommodate year-round programming. Historically, therapeutic horseback riding at The Magical Meadows has only run from April through November each year. The new arenas will both be insulated and fully heated so there will not be any interruptions to services throughout the year except for holidays and cases of severe weather.
Program numbers for individuals with disabilities are expected to grow from 120 to more than 400 annually, while veteran/first-responder participation will likely grow from 50 to 250 annually.
In addition to the growth in individual participants, the organization anticipates this project will foster new partnerships with schools, service providers, non-profits, and other organizations to expand the types of services that will be offered on-site at The Magical Meadows.
“The people we serve deserve the best we have to offer. We believe that this project will help The Magical Meadows become a beacon of hope, love, and healing for the people we already call family, and for hundreds of others who will join us in the coming years,” Kuhn said.
The first phase of the expansion project also includes the addition of nearly 40 parking spots, relocation of the existing hay barn and chapel, and fencing for approximately eight acres of new grazing pastures. Construction is expected to begin by late summer or early fall of this year and be finished by spring of 2026.
Phase 2 of the project will begin after the completion of the two new arenas. That project will cost an additional $1.5 – 2 million and will involve a complete remodel of the existing indoor arena and office building that was built in 2011. The building will be converted into an accessible recreation space specifically for children and adults with disabilities. It will include a high school regulation sized basketball/volleyball court, therapy rooms, a sensory room, new accessible restrooms, a new family restroom, and remodeled office space. More details about phase 2 of this project will be released at a later time.
To learn more about The Magical Meadows and the Growing with Heart Capital Campaign, visit www.themagicalmeadows.org/
