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Showgrounds complex hosts year round events

A joint project between Crow's Nest Shire Council and Crow's Nest Agricultural Society will result in better facilities for the Agricultural Society and local community.

As in many rural areas, the local Agricultural Society holds an annual show in the local showgrounds. The Society needed an expanded pavilion for displays at showtime but this would be a costly exercise as it might only be used a couple of times a year, This prompted Council to consider the possibility of a multi purpose complex.

"The project has enabled Crow's Nest to obtain a complex it would not have had otherwise" said Director of Technical Services, Dave McEvoy. "With a population of 3,000 people in Crow's Nest and surrounds, the project would not be justified unless it was multi purpose. The complex is an excellent community venue. Children use it for roller blading on Saturday afternoon and the Pistol Club from Toowoomba practises there every Sunday morning."

Stage One of the project was completed last year. At a cost of $280,000, it provides a combined sports/pavilion of 1,110 square metres. The pavilion is capable of accommodating two indoor basketball courts.

Various attractions are now being drawn to the new venue. The biggest attraction so far has been the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia. During the June long weekend, over 400 campervans and motor homes involving 800 people converged on the grounds for The Crow's Nest Muster.

The Queensland Sculptors display will also be held at the showgrounds later this year. Stage two of the extensions including a foyer, change rooms, toilets, store rooms, a reception area, club room and Secretary's office have just been completed at cost of $280,000.

Stage three, surfacing the hall floor with an acrylic sports membrane and texture coating of walls, at an estimated cost of $100,000, is expected to be completed in 1999.

For further information contact, Dave McEvoy telephone (07) 4698 1155.

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