Lynne Mowbray The construction of the new pavilion at the Maclean Showground has now been completed. The new pavilion, which was constructed by AGS Commercial Pty Ltd, has replaced the 100-year-old heritage listed pavilion which was destroyed during a severe storm, on 2 January 2018. President of the Maclean Show Society Brian Ferrie said that they (AGS Commercial), have done a magnificent job. “The old roof trusses out of the original pavilion have been turned upside down and used as a feature inside, and they look really good,” Mr Ferrie said. “The old wooden floorboards with the hand forged nails still in them, have been used as a feature above the glass sliding doors which lead out to the grandstand. I think the old pavilion was built in 1894, so that’s how long they (the old floorboards) have been down. “The old windows which were in the middle of the old pavilion have been sent away and been rejuvenated and they have been put back in the internal wall, in the middle of the new building. They don’t open, they are just a light source,” he said. The Highland Gathering is held at the Showground every Easter, so consideration for their needs were also taken into account. “The floor of the new pavilion is polished concrete, but the Scottish Association wanted to have a section of floor made of timber, as the Scottish dancers can’t perform on concrete. So, we’ve got a sprung (wooden) floor up the end for them,” he said. “So, if it rains and they have to dance up here (in the pavilion); so, they’re happy. “The new pavilion lends itself to many different uses. You could hold an art display in here and bring in top artists’ work; it could all be hung in here. “It could also be utilised for wedding receptions and conferences; you name it, this building can cater for it. We’ve got three separate rooms here if we need them,” he said. Mr Ferrie said that the annual Maclean Show, which is held in May, was cancelled this year due to COVID, but he’s hoping to be able to hold the show next year. “I think at the moment we can have 500 people here, and I think that we could probably hold a very small show here with 500 people,” he said. “We’ll have a go, I think. But we won’t know really until probably after Christmas,” he said.