CLARKSVILLE, Mo. — The Rain Tree Arts Council Apple Shed has spent more than $124,000 this year on new floors, floor joists and sub-flooring due to years of damage from flooding. With additional work still to come, the current renovations are about ninety-six percent complete, making the venue safely accessible for the annual Clarksville Applefest which will take place October 10-11.

“We still have a few bills coming in and the renovations are looking like they will cost upwards of $140,000. The good thing is we are as substantial and stable as we have ever been,” said Linda Blakely overseer of the Apple Shed renovation projects

Initially, the issue of faulty flooring started out small, looking like an easy patch-up. Once the problematic area of the floor was addressed Blakely quickly learned that there were many unknown issues with the flooring.

“We had a board that kicked up a little bit and we had a lull period, so we decided to go in and fix this little spot. When they tore into it, everything caved in, and we discovered that the joists and sub-flooring was rotten,” explained Blakely.

Receiving $92,000 from flood insurance, the Raintree Arts Council put all of the money to repairing the floors.

“We currently are in a very stand-still spot. There are still a few places that need repaired, but we need some funding to help complete the project,” added Blakely.

Currently owned by the Raintree Arts Council, the Apple Shed is representative of Clarksville’s rich apple history. Opened in 1930, the Apple Shed was built with repurposed wood from a grainery that once stood in its place. The building was an apple packaging and processing plant, that was open for 48 years.

“The Apple Shed employed around 50-60 people, a lot of local people worked there. They’d harvest the apples, sort and pack them, and then ship them out” said Blakely.

After closing in 1978, the building sat vacant for many years. The last owners Louis Mallin and his son, Robert donated the huge structure to the Raintree Arts Council. Over the years continuous renovations have been made, as the large structure has endured numerous floods — including the second, third, sixth and 10th highest crests, all of which happened in 2019.

The non-profit structure currently works to provide exciting events and entertainment within the community. Hosting annual events has been difficult this year due to the pandemic, with many events being cancelled due to public health concerns.

“Just this year we have lost at least four events and five weddings, so our funding has been chopped severely,” explained Blakely.

The Raintree Arts Council is currently accepting donations in effort to finish and help pay of renovation debt. Due to a tough flood and financial year due to the pandemic, funding for the Apple Shed is scarce.

“Our building had to be repaired no matter what, we could have never had the Applefest if the repairs had not been completed,” said Blakely.

Blakely encourages individuals to attend the Applefest this weekend and to attend future events hosted by the Raintree Arts Council in effort to generate funding for continued repairs. Funding is needed in order for the community to continue to experience a variety of events at the popular and beautiful structure housed in Clarksville.