Event tourism and the economic benefits it brings are set to grow for South Australia’s Riverland region following the opening of a new function pavilion today.
Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals’ Leader and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the new pavilion would attract events and conferences to Barmera.
"By creating this new multi-purpose facility and venue space, the Riverland region will attract a wider range of events such as music festivals, art and cultural exhibitions, agricultural machinery displays and education as well as presentations and conferences," Mr McCormack said.
"With a range of events already booked for the new pavilion, this project, which already supported seven jobs during construction, will continue to support economic development in the region for years to come."
Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin, who attended the official opening event today, said the new function pavilion would leverage the existing exhibition centre to help pull in new events.
"The new pavilion is capable of seating up to 300 people in an acoustically treated auditorium; it includes data projection facilities and a screen for presentations, in addition to hosting a kitchen for catering and teaching purposes," Mr Pasin said.
"There’s also the added local benefit of having created this new community space for locals to meet, organise and host their own events—a win all round for the Riverland region."
The project was jointly funded with the Australian Government investing $405,090 and Riverland Field Days Inc. contributing $471,000.
