New Year, new EXO Centre for Lincolnshire Showground 20 Jan
Owned by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society – a charitable organisation promoting food, farming and the countryside in an environmentally sustainable way - Lincolnshire Showground is committed to delivering diverse events and services that are accessible for all to enjoy. The investment into the EXO Centre will enable it to host more events for more people, no matter what their needs.
Originally built in the 1960’s for Lincolnshire Agricultural Society members, the Exhibition Hall has been used predominately for education-based events, hosting 752 in the last 10 years alone and being visited by over 7,000 children, parents and teachers in the last 12 months.
Construction works have now started on the existing building, which will renovate and fully modernise the 1,623 m2 space, bringing the first multifunctional and inclusive event space of its kind to Lincolnshire.
Due for completion in May this year, the EXO Centre works will utilise the current framework of the building; completely renovating the entrance and reception area, main hall, multi-functional educational space, satellite kitchen and toilet facilities to create a more modern, inclusive and versatile environment for visitors.
The works will include the addition of Changing Places facilities – a first for a Lincolnshire events centre, bi-fold doors between the entrance and main hall, a new roof with a ‘Busbar’ system to make the space more flexible for different event requirements, an interior fit-out, plus a new landscaped courtyard with sweeping views over the countryside.
Sustainability is very much part of the Showground’s agenda for all of its activities and has been carefully considered in the planning of the EXO Centre works. Eco-friendly features include the installation of interior and exterior LED lighting, with the latter having movement detection and daylight shut off, thermal glazing, new insulation to increase U-value and Cedar cladding to the exterior of the building.
Jayne Southall, CEO at Lincolnshire showground, said: “The Showground and its events continue to thrive and more than ever it is our aim to promote education and health and wellbeing in energy-efficient spaces that are accessible to everyone.
“The EXO Centre will allow our Education team to reach more young people with an increased number of diverse and interactive events, and to facilitate the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society’s charitable work.
“The new EXO Centre is not just a great addition to the Showground, but to Lincolnshire as a whole and we are so pleased that it will be complete in time for visitors to experience at our ever-popular Lincolnshire Show in June.”
To deliver all aspects of the project, local suppliers have been appointed with Evans McDowall Architects, contractor JMH, project management consultant Thornton-Firkin, electrician EJ Parker, Mid Lincs Plumbers and demolition firm Bloom now onsite.
Andy McDowall, director at Evans McDowall Architects, said: “This is a fantastic project to be appointed on and we are really pleased to be working with The Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, and its partners, to deliver what will be a vibrant and inclusive public events space.
“The primary focus of the renovation of the EXO Centre is to provide an energy efficient, cost effective, robust space that is aesthetically sympathetic to the surrounding showground, and to create a visual link with the neighbouring Epic Centre building.
“We have worked closely with The Lincolnshire Agricultural Society to create a design that enhances and reinvigorates the existing space; providing a modern, light and airy interior events area as well as a new exterior courtyard.”
