THE Loxton Agricultural Horticultural Society has completed its first stage of upgrades from the $64,000 Federal Government grant it received last year.
The grant, which was part of a $20 million government development grant program to renew and reinvigorate regional showgrounds, has gone towards upgrading and renovating three displays and storage sheds at the Loxton Recreation Complex, with the first shed complete and ready to be used.
Loxton Show pavilion co-ordinator Paul Kaesler said the sheds were “in need” of an upgrade.
“The sheds haven’t been upgraded since the ’70s and they’ve been destroyed,” he said.
“They’ve been used for animals, such as poultry, goats, alpacas and pigs, display facilities and storage.
“The first shed we’ve completed looks amazing and when they’re all done, it’ll look great.
“Bill Sharrad and the team at Riverland Sheds have done an incredible job so far and I know they’ll continue to do so.”
Loxton Show management committee member Barry Mangelsdorf said the committee was “thrilled” to receive the grant.
“Upgrading the sheds is something we’d never be able to do if we weren’t given this grant,” he said.
“The actual sheds themselves don’t belong to the show, they belong to the council, but in saying that the upgrades are great for our own use and they’ll make the grounds look nice.
“The precinct is new so with the sheds upgraded the whole area should look really good.”
Mr Kaesler is excited for this year’s show, particularly after the 2020 show – scheduled for October – was cancelled due to the impact of COVID-19.
“The sheds will be ready before the show and it’ll be great,” Mr Kaesler said.
“Not only did the Loxton community miss out last year but so did the wider community and tourists.
“Hopefully this year it will go ahead as planned and we will be lucky enough to have newly renovated sheds, with cooling and ventilators.”