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These five photos are courtesy of Don Brown.
MEANSVILLE - Community members gathered at Chestnut Oak Arena on Saturday, November 21, 2020 for the ribbon cutting and barrel racing in the covered and lighted arena. A fun time was had by all!
Agribusiness Chairman Mark Camp opened the ceremony this morning by thanking everyone who has been a part of the project from the donations to helping out with actual aspects of the arena.
Chairman Briar Johnson said that the Agribusiness Boards have done a good job since this facility was purchased in 1996 and that the facility has “really come to life!” He said that the facility will bring economic growth to our county.
Current House District 131 Representative Ken Pullin thanked the Agribusiness Authority and volunteers for their hard work on the arena. “I look forward to seeing this continue!” he said.
Incoming House District 131 Representative Beth Camp said that the first time she visited the current property was for Farm Days when her daughter was in Kindergarten, and it was just a field then. [Note from the Editor: Me too. That was more than 20 years ago!] She thanked Southern Rivers for the donation that made the bathrooms possible and said that the arena is here today because of visionaries who helped to make it a reality. “The world needs those who dream big!” Beth also said that this is an opportunity to show the number one industry in our county and state.
There is a short-term and long-term plan in place for the future. The short-term plan involves building bleachers, a concession stand, and an announcement stand. The long-term plan involves the addition of a practice arena, bucking chutes, a barn for the animals, and moving the Extension Office to the property so this can be open all of the time.
Upcoming events will include a farm equipment auction in April and a Bull Bash in May and October.
Chairman Camp thanked Southern Rivers for sharing their vision with the donation of poles for lighting, the nature trail, and the restrooms. The Agribusiness Authority applied for a Georgia One grant of $150,000 to help with the building of the arena. He thanked both organizations for investing in our community.
He said that the authority undertook an $85,000 loan to erect the building and used reserve funds to make the lighting possible.
There are opportunities for donations in someone’s legacy at the facility as well as helping with future plans at the arena. 100 percent of donations will further agricultural awareness in our community.
Camp thanked everyone for their time, talent, and financial support that worked hard to make Chestnut Oak Arena possible.