TANUNDA Show Hall has become the largest undercover events venue in the Barossa following the completion of a $1.7 million redevelopment.

Barossa Council’s corporate and community services director Jo Thomas said key features of the project include a new commercial grade kitchen for community hire, a green room for visiting artists and an expanded main stage.

The roof has also been replaced with full insulation and ventilation.

“The kitchen facilities include all the contemporary features people would expect to find including commercial grade combi oven, dishwashing and glass washing facilities, cool room and service fridges, freezer room and food preparation,” Ms Thomas said.

“We really look forward to unveiling this facility for local caterers and event organisers. This provides an affordable opportunity to cater for large-scale, high end food and wine events to grow the Barossa’s reputation as a genuine events destination.”

The green room adjacent the stage includes shower and toilets, kitchenette, sofas, meeting space, dressing table, and heating and cooling, along with an external entrance.

“Additionally, the stage wings have been reinstated, which has almost doubled the size with a dedicated area for sound equipment at the rear and full access ramp onto the stage,” Ms Thomas said.

Other improvements include a new Tanunda Show office and upgrade to the adjacent toilet amenities to cater for a 1200-person facility.

The new poultry shed, with collapsible bird cages, now doubles as a much larger communal, multi-use space at the rear of the building, which can be hired or provide extra back of stage capacity.

Local tennis and netball clubs will make use of new courtside storage, shelter and spectator viewing.

Barossa Mayor Bim Lange described the council-funded upgrade as a “game changer” for local events.

“This project has really elevated the Show Hall to the next level,” he said.

“It’s still our much-loved Show Hall, but it’s more contemporary, functional and adapted for increased demand and diversity of events.”

BGI Building Group was awarded the tender and general manager Paul Brown said the use of local tradespeople was integral to the success of the project.