Bond Commission Approves Funding

For Horse Guard Barn, Canine Facility

HARTFORD — The State Bond Commission approved funding for infrastructure improvements to the barn of the Second Company of the Governor’s Horse Guard at Fairfield Hills  in Newtown on Friday, July 29, and funding to help build a canine training facility there.

The grants included $293,300 for the horse barn project and $187,000 for the canine training facility.

“The infrastructure improvements to the horse barn that this grant will make possible will make the facility safer and more user friendly for the Horse Guard,” said State Rep Julia B. Wasserman, R-106th District, who worked for several years to secure funding.

“The Horse Guard is actively involved in a variety of community activities in Newtown and puts on a lot of programs for young people, including a horse show that took place about a week ago and attracted visitors from throughout Connecticut.”

Rep Wasserman said that when the canine facility is completed this fall and the working dog teams become operational, it will be one of only a few such units in the United States. (See story about the canine facility on page C-1.)

“This funding will help us with needed improvements to the horse barn and to finish work on the canine training facility. It will posture the Connecticut National Guard (CNG) to meet both federal and state missions, not only with the horse guard but also with the military working dogs that will be housed at the facility,” said Lt Col John R. Whitford, CNG public affairs officer.

The horse barn project includes preparation of a master plan for the proposed current and future use of the property; a study of the current infrastructure and utilities, and designs for upgrades and replacements; design and construction of an independent electrical distribution system; and implementation of other improvements.