$1m pavilion funds secure agricultural show future

The future of the Albany Agricultural Show has been secured by almost $1 million in funding.

The Albany Agricultural Society has received $950,000 from the National Stronger Regions Fund for the construction of three big pavilions.

The pavilions will be built along Cockburn Road in the eastern precinct of Centennial Park.

Albany Agricultural Society president Rob Wright said the funding boost would allow construction of the pavilions to be completed in time for next year’s show.

“This gives us the ability to build the entirety of the new pavilions we need. It means we don’t have to do it in separable portions, we don’t have to stint on it,” he said.

“It gives us the funding necessary to put it all into place and have it completed so it is all ready hopefully for next year’s show in 2017.”

Mr Wright said the purpose-built sheds would be vital to the growth of the show and would facilitate other local events.

“It gives us a life for the next 40 years here in this location — we can develop and grow from that,” he said.

“We can use these for all sorts of events, not just the show. The show is only one event — there are community events all year round that these pavilions can get used for.

“Albany unfortunately does have inclement weather and so to have these facilities here and to be able to hold events in them undercover is a real boost to Albany.”