MULTI-MILLION dollar work at the Bathurst Showground will straddle the Royal Bathurst Show, which starts late next month.
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Patrons at the show - which wasn't able to be held last year due to COVID - will be able to see some of the upgrades already completed at the historic facility.
The NSW Government announced a grant in October last year to improve the showground's facilities and infrastructure and plenty of work has been done since.
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The Noel Moxon Grandstand is a current focus.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole met with contractor David Hines from Hines Constructions, whose company is carrying out the work on the grandstand, and Showground Trust administrator Andrew Fletcher recently to see first-hand the complexity of the grandstand rescue mission.
"This includes repairing the huge timber posts which carry much of the grandstand's weight, which are rotten at the base," Mr Toole said.
"Their footings are being enlarged before the lower sections of the posts are cut off and replaced.
"Work on the Moxon Stand is progressing well and will be at the stage where it can be available for use by patrons at this year's Royal Bathurst Show.
"Hines will complete its makeover after the show."
The NSW Government's $3.3 million investment into Bathurst Showground upgrades is part of its COVID-19 stimulus program and Crown Reserves Infrastructure Fund (CRIF).
"The new boundary fence and the new entrance gates have already been completed ahead of this year's Royal Bathurst Show from April 29 to May 2," Mr Toole said.
"The call for tenders to restore the old pavilions are about to go out, but this will not impact on the show.
"However, those works are expected to be completed by the end of this year, with local firm Arlington Consulting driving this part of the overall showground upgrade project."
Mr Fletcher, who will soon celebrate a year since he became Showground Trust administrator, said the 1879 Howard Pavilion got a new roof last year.
"The big jobs start after the show and that includes further restoration works on the Howard Pavilion along with the adjoining Trevitt and Beau Brown pavilions," he said.
"The Cec English Pavilion [birds] and nearby two sheep pavilions and goat pavilion will also receive upgrades.
"Overall, this is a massive project, but as far as history is concerned they don't come much better than what we have at the Bathurst Showground.
"This funding from the NSW Government means these historic buildings will still be here for generations to come."
