NEW and improved facilities and buildings will be built at the Ipswich Showground thanks to funding from the Investing in our Communities program.
First announced at the May 2024 Show, several upgrades have now begun under the $4.5 million program.
A laundry will be built to service 25 sites of the Caravan Park, and a new Poultry Pavilion and/or function space will replace the Ken Roberts Building after this year’s show. The building will house the Show Society’s pigeons, waterfowl, ducks and chickens.
It will serve as a function space for training sessions and meetings for business and community groups and support Circus Ipswich.
In late 2025 the perimeter fence of the Showgrounds will be upgraded while there will also be updates to electrical services and operations.
The Old Cattle Pavilion/Workshops will be replaced by a proposed modern workshops space with an adjoining covered arena for hosting dine-outs and event displays.
Meanwhile, a $1.5 million grant from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority will result in the rebuilding of the Society’s Cattle Pavilion on Parker Avenue.
The building will be set aside for competition cattle showcase during the show.
It will be a covered area for market stalls and act as an entertainment space for event and community group hires when the show is not in operation.
The building will provide animal management for displaced resident’s livestock and pets during times of disaster.
The Ipswich Show Society is in developments to draft a master plan
for the new Arena/grandstand area of the Showgrounds.
The Queensland Greyhound Racing Club will soon leave the location.
“For the future ‘vision’ of the redeveloped Main Arena/Grandstand and Clubhouse, we are seeking expressions of interest from community organisations, event partners and businesses who would like to use our facility from mid 2025 and beyond. We would like to discuss with these interested parties so we can determine what are the needs and requirements for consideration in the redevelopment plan,” Ipswich Show Society president Darren Zanow said.
