It’s rare to walk into a 4-H building without seeing some sort of work being done.
This week, the organization’s worker bees were busy putting the final touches on the Pictou County 4-H Legacy Building that will be unveiled to the public Sunday at 3 p.m.
Cathy Lavers, president of the 4-H Leaders Council, took a break from cleaning recently to give The News a tour of the building that expanded in size and features upgraded kitchen facilities, electrical and storage space. The result is generations of 4-H members to come can display their work during the Pictou-North Colchester Exhibition in early September.
“We hope to have ample room for project display, so members can showcase their work,” she said. “It was very crowded in the past and the big items for welding and woodworking, we couldn’t lift onto tables because they were static and couldn’t move. This way we will have moveable tables.”
A section of the former 4-H building was used, and new facilities were added. The building has new walls, roof and cement floors.
The new design also includes a kitchen area that will allow 4-H Council to comply with current food safety regulations, with two washrooms and a separate storage facility.
The River John School committee donated all of its cupboards, sink, fridge and stove to the new 4-H kitchen.
Overall the project was expected to cost about $250,000 plus in-kind donations. The Municipality of the County of Pictou has put $75,000 toward the new building and 4-H is continuing its own fundraising efforts to finish up what needs to be done.
It’s likely the ceiling and walls will be insulated and boarded up after the exhibition is finished. The building is without heat, so it will remain closed October to May, but Lavers said there is an opportunity for 4-H to rent it in the future to groups wanting to host workshops or events.
The 4-H will also continue to raise funds for the “bells and whistles” the building needs.
“The fundraising went well, and it is still in process,” she said. “It is trickling now. We are not finished, but as of now we don’t owe any money on it.”
The public is invited to attend the official opening Sunday, 3 to 5 p.m. at the Pictou-North Colchester Exhibition grounds. There will be speeches, as well as hot dogs and cake for guests.
Sidebar:
HL: New and old events headline Pictou ex
PICTOU, N.S.
Fire breathers and sword swallowers.
It doesn’t sound like your typical agricultural show, but Pictou-North Colchester Exhibition manager John Robinson assures everyone there will be traditional events as well.
The exhibition is set for Sept. 5- 9 in Pictou featuring 4-H competitions, heavy- and light-horse competitions and tug-of-war. It will also see the return of the princess pageant as well little princesses.
“That is all people ask you, ‘what do you have new coming?’ So you have to have something new,” he said.
The exhibition has been granted approval from the town to host a mounted shooting show that will see riders fire at targets on horseback while the popular motorized, events such as the lawnmower races, demolition derby and truck pulls will return.
Robinson said volunteers are always welcome throughout the weekend and anyone interested can contact Helen Robinson at 902-485-5636.
A complete schedule of events can be found at www.pictouexhibiton.com
