Many hours have been spent during the past 18 months restoring a nearly century-old wagon to its former glory, as a way of acknowledging the contribution made to the area by long-standing business Upper Clutha Transport, formerly Reid's Transport, which has a depot in the village.
About 10 locals worked on the restoration, organised by the Luggate Community Association. Its chairman, Geoff Taylor, yesterday said he was ''delighted'' with the ''work of art'' after it was collected from his property and delivered - by Upper Clutha Transport - to its new home on the Luggate Creek Reserve, opposite the domain.
The wagon is thought to have been used to cart wool from Upper Clutha stations to the railhead at Cromwell. The wagon has been painted in the colours associated with Reid's Transport during the 1960s. There are plans for two concrete horses, costing about $9000 and funded by Central Lakes Trust, to be installed in front of the wagon later this year.
The wagon makeover has cost about $5000, funded from cash raised by the community and an $1100 donation from the Luggate Indoor Bowling Club, now in recess.
People would get the opportunity to guess the year the wagon was built when it was unveiled at 2pm today, Mr Taylor said.
