THRILLS: Sideshow alley and its rides will again feature in the Orange Show. Photo STEVE GOSCH 0514sgshow
ORANGE City Council has been “more than helpful” with preparations ahead of this weekend’s Orange Show despite ongoing debate about the future of the showground’s management, according to the show society president Peter Naylor.
“They’ve done all the basics, cleaned out the pavilions, and checked everything the power, water and sewer,” he said.
“Under the deed of covenant they [the council] have to supply a man six weeks before and two weeks after the show.
“The show society and council work in together.”
Mr Naylor said the ongoing controversy surrounding the grounds hasn’t dampened interest in the show.
“It’s brought people back to the showground to have a look at the show,” he said.
“We need it [the showground] for the public of Orange, it’s a place for them to relax.”
He has invited the councillors to inspect the showground after the grand parade, including the square ring which he feels should be replaced with a more traditional round ring.
Council has offered to demolish the dilapidated stables at the grounds but Mr Naylor said the society won’t agree to its removal until a management meeting takes place.
“I’m not going to say the stables are going to be pulled down until we have a plan to start fixing our tired showground,” he said.
“The council has supplied us with temporary stables for the last three or four years.”
The roof of the stables was blown off three years ago, despite attempts to restore them they have since been left unused.
Mr Naylor said it is unlikely they will be saved.
“I like seeing the stables there because it’s the character of our showground,” Mr Naylor said.
“If we had a trust management up and running now we could sit down and ... work out what we’re going to do.”
Mr Naylor said the field days committee has offered to supply 20 sheep pens for the weekend after 50 fence panels went missing.
clare.colley@ruralpress.com