A joint project to redevelop the Dempsey Pavilion at the Waimate showgrounds will go ahead, with construction to start later in the year.
With the omission of a permanent stage and loss of storage space in the new Waimate Community Complex plans, the Waimate Shears committee decided to build elsewhere and approached the South Canterbury A&P Association about a joint venture to design, build and finance a new facility, Waimate Shears president Warren White said.
Their aim was to create a ''flexible multipurpose venue which can be used throughout the year'', with larger shed facilities.
Plans for the redeveloped pavilion included a stage, spectator hall, revamped main entrance and new exhibition space.
The redevelopment involved building new structures and applying a ''much needed facelift to the old structure'', in line with A&P show requirements, Mr White said.
The estimated cost was about $240,000.
South Canterbury A&P Association chief executive officer Reto Oswald said the potential of the new venture was ''exciting''.
''We were certainly impressed with the quality of [Mr White's] offer,'' he said.
''They took care of the best interests of both of us.''
Mr White said the facility would enhance the Waimate Shears show, build on the link between urban and rural Waimate, help South Canterbury's agribusiness sector grow and create a ''flexible, multipurpose events and exhibition precinct''.
The project needed the support of the community and they aimed to secure funding to finance the construction.
To reach their target, they needed donations of money or of professional expertise, materials, equipment or time, Mr White said.
A ''buy a name'' fundraising campaign would allow a donor to have their name engraved on a large billboard that would form part of the pavilion.
Construction was set to begin in November or December.
It was hoped to have the pavilion ready for next year's Shears.
• For more information, contact the Waimate Shears secretary, Eileen Smith, on (03) 689-7456 or Mr White on 0274892866.
