Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler joined state legislators and local dignitaries in officially opening the new 55,387-square-foot multipurpose pavilion at the Southeastern N.C. Agricultural Center Tuesday.
“This Pavilion will give the center the capacity to attract larger events to Lumberton, including horse and livestock shows, tractor pulls, trade shows and concerts,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.
The new facility includes a 32,660-square-foot show ring, a ticket office, a concession area with catering options, a hospitality room and an event control room. In addition, future plans for the pavilion call for a warm-up show ring for horse events and moveable tile flooring for trade shows and concerts.
“The Pavilion is not only an improvement for the center, but it also is an economic boost for the region,” said center manager Michael Smith. “Larger events will attract larger crowds, and that means more people supporting local businesses by eating, shopping and filling up their tank in Robeson County.”
The nearly $5 million facility was paid for through $3.7 million from the N.C. General Assembly and a $1.29 million grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation. The building was designed by Bowman Murray Hemingway Architects of Wilmington. Metcon Inc. of Pembroke was the general contractor.
The Southeastern N.C. Agricultural Center is one of three agricultural centers operated by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The department also operates centers in Fletcher and Williamston.
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image courtesy of ncagr.gov
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