Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall pictured with Inverell Showground trustees, Dave Adams (Chairman), left, Bruce Turner and Tane Richards (also Inverell Basketball Association President).
THE Inverell Showground Trust’s plans to replace the floor of the showground’s main pavilion have moved into top gear after receiving news from Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, of a State Government grant of $157,546 to complete the project.
Mr Marshall met with Trust members last Thursday to deliver the good news and inspect the pavilion, which is the home of the Inverell Basketball Association.
“The Inverell Showground Trust does a wonderful job maintaining the showground but this project was a little beyond their reach, so I’m delighted that through the Public Reserve Management Fund we’ve been able to secure this grant,” Mr Marshall said.
“The entire floor and joints on the pavilion will be replaced – it’s old and dilapidated and certainly in needs replacing. Apart from the usual wear and tear of the annual show and other public events held throughout the year, the pavilion is home to Inverell’s successful basketball competition. As a well-used community asset, it’s very pleasing to be able to offer this sort of financial assistance.
“Around 12 months ago the Trust and basketball association approached me about this project and I was very pleased to go into bat for them and am really pleased with the outcome.”
Inverell Showground Trust Chairman Dave Adams said he was thrilled to receive the news and thanked Mr Marshall for his support.
“Adam was well aware of the problem we were facing as a Trust. The pavilion floor needs to be replaced, it’s a huge project and we just didn’t have that sort of money,” Mr Adams said.
“When we submitted the grant application, it was with a modicum of hope so this is just an excellent outcome and we can’t thank Adam enough for his interest and going in to bat for us.
“We will get started on the project as soon as possible. We would like to have it finished for the annual show in February.”
Mr Marshall said this funding was on the back of more than $85,000 received last year by the Trust for improvements works around the showground.
“By supporting these vital projects the NSW Government is supporting the role our volunteer managers of Crown reserves play in the ongoing management of vital community assets for the enjoyment of thousands of people each year,” he said.