THE Penola Pastoral Agricultural and Horticultural Society will undertake a major upgrade of the Warner Pavilion following a $79,540 grant from the
Federal Government.
The funds, from the Federal Government’s Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants program, will replace the existing 60-year-old facility with a fully-powered steel pavilion at McCorquindale Park.
The show society and Wattle Range Council will each contribute $5000 towards the project, with a further $30,000 donated by Penola and Coonawarra community members.
Council has also waived fees for the demolition and building permits in a continued effort to maintain low costs.
The shed is foreshadowed to be used for house markets, new show events and broad community use, including January’s Penola Rodeo.
Penola show society secretary Kathy Fennell said the committee was thrilled to receive the funding for the project, which has been discussed for almost three decades.
“The funding was a once in a lifetime opportunity to come along so we decided to apply and we received all that we had applied for,” Ms Fennell said.
“We have received an outstanding amount of community support with a large amount of donations to go towards the project.
“It just goes to show how tight knit and supportive our local community is.”
Ms Fennell said the new facility will be significantly more open than the existing ageing shed, with just the southern end of the facility enclosed.
“The next step we need to take is to get back in touch with the contractors for the shed and we have the plans all drawn up ready to go,” Ms Fennell said.
“Now it is about finalising those plans and getting the funding into our bank account so we can move along.”
The new pavilion will be the final edition to the newly renovated McCorquindale Park following the completion of works on Rymill Hall.
“It is going to be a huge asset to the community because it will be available to the community to use and with the rodeo being held next year it will be used them and we will be able to host a wide range of events now,” Ms Fennell said.
“The whole idea is for it to be much more open and accessible and we are very happy it is going ahead.”
Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the grant would benefit the show society as well as Penola and Coonawarra residents.
“In many regional areas Agricultural shows and field days are the heart and soul of our regional communities,” Mr Pasin said.
“They help bring communities together, bridge the divide between country and city and provide a key injection into the local economy.
“These events showcase the hard work and innovation that goes into producing Australia’s food and fibre and in Barker we have some of the best in the nation.”
Naracoorte, Millicent and the Keith and Tintinara Show Society’s also received funding under the scheme.
Naracoorte Pastoral and Agricultural Society Incorporated also received funding alongside Millicent Agricultural Horticultural and Pastoral Society Incorporated and Keith and Tintinara District Show Society Incorporated.
