Group forms to fund Windsor Castle work
Published 12:35 am Sunday, December 25, 2016
Smithfield VA Events, a pending 501(c)3 organization that hosts three annual fundraising events at Windsor Castle Park, has announced a public/private partnership with Historic Windsor Castle Restoration LLC.
Under the partnership, the organizations will renovate the interior of the Windsor Castle caretaker’s residence and reconstruct two previously present barns on the historic easement at Windsor Castle Park, according to a press release this week.
The caretaker’s residence will be the headquarters of the Smithfield VA Events organization. The barns will be used for SVAE storage needs.
The work is expected to begin within the next few months.
Smithfield VA Events will work in under design and rehabilitation specifications from Frazier Associates, the firm that developed Smithfield’s Historic District architectural guidelines, which is expected to qualify the work for state tax incentives.
A five-member Smithfield VA Events Construction committee has been appointed by SVAE to provide financial and design oversight and to work with the Windsor Castle Restoration committee on the completion of the project, the press release stated.
Smithfield VA Events plans to fund the improvements of the caretaker’s residence interior and the two barns primarily through anticipated savings of rental expenses for storage, office space and materials. However, ownership of all three of the buildings will be retained by the town of Smithfield. SVAE anticipates paying the Town a small monthly rental fee.
Smithfield VA Events hosts and manages the popular BOB FEST, Smithfield Wine & Brew Fest and Bacon, Bourbon & Beach Music Fest, returning more than a million dollars in economic impact to the town annually, officials stated.
Proceeds from all events are donated back into the Smithfield and Isle of Wight community. SVAE has donated more than $500,000 to more than 70 different local charitable organizations.
Historic Windsor Castle Restoration LLC was established by the Town of Smithfield and the Windsor Castle Park Foundation to pursue the historic preservation tax credits promoted by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.