Renovation goal raised to $300,000
By Donnie A. Lucas
Improvements at the Shackelford County Show Barn have started with the pouring of a concrete floor throughout the main part of the building, but several projects still remain on the list.
In early May, the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association announced a fundraising effort to raise $200,000 or more to make overdue updates to the 50-year-old structure.
Mike Parsons, who is heading up the fundraising drive, said that donations have been coming in, but he still has a couple of outstanding gifts that have been committed to.
The goal has since been raised to $300,000 after exact prices were obtained.
The Shackelford County Commissioners Court approved a $15,000 expenditure to replace all the screws in the roof and cover over skylights at the show barn to prevent leaking. Continuing the improvement project was contingent at this point on making the roof weathertight.
According to Parsons, after repairs to the roof are made, the underside will be blown with foam installation. The cost for the insulation is estimated at $42,000.
Parsons also reported that 127 new pens have been ordered at a cost of $97,000, and the completed concrete job cost about $81,700.
Other major items also include replacing all of the lighting with LED fixtures and closing in the south side of the barn and installing three roll-up doors.
“We are very pleased with the response we have had so far, but we are still looking for a little more help,” Parsons said.
If enough funds are raised, he said that the group plans to extend the cattle barn addition that was built several years ago to square it up with the rest of the facility.
“All of these improvements will provide room to meet the growing needs for the local show and any other livestock events such as pig sales,” he said.
Parsons and other members of the association host an annual pig show and sale at the county barn each September, bringing in breeders from across Texas and the mid-West benefitting the local association.
Parsons, who has been on the board for over 40 years, said that the show barn was first built in 1972, housing 30 or so projects. That number has grown to over 150 projects each year.
While the facility is owned by the county, the original barn and all improvements over the years were funded through private donations.
The steer barn and wash rack were added in 2005 funding with $75,000 in donations, followed by new rest rooms in 2013 made possible through a $25,000 foundation donation.
The association has also funded major electrical rewiring and updated the office area.
“We are busting at the seams, and there are improvements that are needed for safety concerns,” Parsons said. “We are going to be careful to spend all donations wisely.”
Association president Bronco Askew said that pouring the concrete floor will help solve the major dust problems encountered when a show or event is held at the facility.
“The dust has been a major problem, along with the leaks in the metal roof,” he said. “It is time to address the problems and get the place up to snuff. This will help everyone out there – the kids, the visitors, and the animals – and make it much safer.”
Parsons added that he hopes local citizens who help with donations do not short the money that will be needed next January to run the show and pay out to the exhibitors.
“We need everyone’s help no matter how small the donation,” Parsons said.
Improvements are also being included for the concession stand, photo and publicity area, and parking.
“This is an investment in our future, and we hope people will help us any way they can,” he said.
Donations can be sent to the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association at PO Box 2439, Albany, TX 76430. Mark the gift as “show barn funds” on the memo line.
