MAXIMISING the tourism potential of a new silo art display is the purpose of a local community group’s donation to the project.
The Renmark Lions Club last week announced it would donate $10,000 toward the construction of a viewing platform for the Paringa Silo Art project.
Renmark Lions Club president Celeste Pettigrew said group members agreed to donate $5000, with the remaining $5000 coming from an Australian Lions Foundation (ALF) grant.
“Our club members were amazed at the work already done by the Paringa Silo Art Committee in getting the silo’s artwork completed in recent weeks,” Ms Pettigrew said.
“We were aware of funds being available from ALF for community projects and felt we could apply for a grant to boost our donation.
“We are proud that we can contribute to a structure which will protect visitors to this site from the extreme weather this region experiences from time to time and provide them with relevant information regarding the images painted on the silos.”
Paringa Silo Art project manager Les Webb expected work on the first viewing platform would begin in winter.
“At this stage we’re thinking work will start on it in July,” Mr Webb said.
“We’re planning two platforms. The one at the front will be supported by the Lions Club and we’re still looking for support for the one at the back.
“There’s (different) faces at the back… so we need a viewing platform back there too.”