FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2008

Sen. Bob Martin Ag Center breaks ground on new horse barn April 3

RALEIGH -- The Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center in Williamston will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday, April 3, at 2:30 p.m., to kick off the planned construction of a new 29,000-square-foot barn.

“This addition will be the next step towards attracting larger shows to the Williamston center,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Once the third barn unit is completed, the facility will have a 616-stall capacity including permanent and temporary stalls, making it an attractive facility for many horse shows.”

The Barn Unit 3 project will add 152 permanent stalls, two heated wash bays, restrooms and shower facilities. It is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2009.

Long-term plans call for a fourth barn to be built, which would bring the total number of permanent stalls to 608 and total capacity to 768 stalls. There is no timetable for the Barn 4 project.

“Attracting larger shows to the Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center is expected to provide an even greater economic boost to the region,” said Durward Taylor, center manager. “People attending and participating in the events at the center spend money in the community, which supports local businesses.”

Troxler will be joined at the groundbreaking by Rep. Edith Warren, Sen. Clark Jenkins and N.C. Horse Council President Sue Gray. Each will have an opportunity to take a turn operating a backhoe, which will replace the more traditional golden shovels.

The Sen. Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center is located on N.C. Highway 125 South. For more information on the new barn or the groundbreaking ceremony, contact Taylor at (252) 792-5802.

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