Uralla Showground Trust members Darren Phillips, left, Chair Bev Stubberfield, Bob Crouch, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Erica Barwell and Leanne Doran welcoming the funding injection to improve facilities at the Uralla Showground.
Wednesday, 17 June 2020
MODERN kitchen facilities, new horse stables and upgraded cattle yards will all be included in a new-look Uralla Showground, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today announcing a $214,512 grant, funded through the State Government’s COVID-19 Showgrounds Stimulus Package.
Mr Marshall said facilities at the showground had served the community well over several decades, but many areas were in need of work to make them safer and more functional.
“Once this project is complete, horse sport organisations and cattle clubs will be jumping over themselves to host their next event at the venue,” Mr Marshall said.
“The first big change will be the demolition of two, more than 50-year-old, dilapidated wooden horse stables, which have developed a dangerous lean and leaking roof.
“The structures will be replaced by a single steel set of stables, with each of the 12 bays having the capacity to allow horses indoors and outdoors.
“The new stables will be slightly repositioned to make them more level and improve drainage.
“The kitchen in Pavilion A will also undergo a full refurbishment, with stainless steel bench tops replacing the existing galvanised iron benches and new appliances including a deep fryer, 6 burner oven and barbecue grill plate to be added.
“Broken tiles in the building will also be replaced to make the facility compliant with health standards.
“I congratulate the Uralla Showground Trust on working very hard in recent years to secure funding and dramatically improve the amenity and functionality of the showground.”
Uralla Showground Trust Chair Bev Stubberfield said the works were part of an effort to make the site more accessible and secure.
“The cattle yards on site are largely made up of panels borrowed from Uralla Pony Club,” Ms Stubberfield said.
“This grant will allow the land managers to purchase its own set of panels for the ground, which can be put up and pulled down, to accommodate various cattle events held throughout the year.
“Also, a new fence will be erected around the Dam Paddock, improving security and lessening the risk of animals getting out on the busy Gostwyck Road.
“This is one of the biggest upgrade programs our committee has undertaken, and we are hopeful all works will be complete by September.
“The drought and Uralla’s water contamination issues have strained the local economy and, as a committee, we are glad to be able to support its recovery by providing work for local tradespeople and a venue which encourages community events.”