The $1.5m works started on 5 January and are being constructed by Jarvis Delahey Contractors Pty Ltd using local businesses.
Greater Shepparton City Council Direct Infrastructure, Steve Bowmaker, says the upgrades to the main arena involve increasing and improving the grassed surfaces and improved drainage and irrigation.
“The works will see a new open space grassed arena which will be much bigger than previously, two new light towers and a bitumen promenade to link the current west and east ones with power boxes along the promenade. Lighting will also be improved at the Showgrounds.”
“The previous arena had no irrigation, was not level, some of it was made up of gravel which created dusty environments at events. The whole open space area was prone to flooding which was a major concern not only for existing events but also for attracting new events.”
“The top soil is being stripped off and imported sand from Mulwala will be placed over the top in a 250mm layer and sprigged with couch grass in March to allow for optimal growing conditions before winter sets in,” said Mr Bowmaker.
“A new toilet block adjacent to the eastern multipurpose pavilion is being built which will service events and the new open space area. These facilities have 10 new toilets including an all abilities toilet. The State Government have contributed $500,000 to this project.”
“This much needed project will provide significant improvements for major events and user groups at the site including the Shepparton Show, Shepparton Swap Meet, Rotary Car and Market Show and Spring Cat Nationals,” he said. “It will also provide an inviting gateway at the east entrance to Shepparton.”
Greater Shepparton City Council’s Acting Manager Investment Attraction, Anthony Nicolaci, says the works will allow Council’s Tourism and Events team to proactively sell the Showgrounds to potential new major and special event organisers around the country.
“This may include major music festivals, motoring events, expos, field days, circuses, celebrations and exhibitions generating potentially millions of dollars for the region,” he said.
“The recently upgraded Multipurpose Pavilion, McIntosh Centre pavilions and the hard stand area combined with the new works provides an ideal location in the heart of the CBD to show what Shepparton has to offer,” said Mr Nicolaci.
“The facility will allow many local community groups to utilise first class facilities to run community events, festivals and activities in a safe and enclosed environment. These Showgrounds will be one of the best and most attractive complexes in regional Australia after this work is completed.”
Greater Shepparton City Councillor Dinny Adem says improvements at the Showgrounds will enhance Greater Shepparton City Council’s reputation as key major events destination in building quality facilities to host major events and attracting visitors to our region, a key element in the 2013 to 2017 Council Plan.
“With these new works bringing the facility up to a more mature state facility, event numbers and quality will increase significantly over the next five years. It’s a very exciting time for Greater Shepparton and I look forward to seeing the economic impact this development will have on our municipality,” said Cr Adem.
From 2006/2007 since Council took over the site to deliver a new master plan the figures have steadily increased from four bookings and events then to 89 bookings a year with over 70,000 attendees visiting the site in the last financial year.
The design for the works was developed by Urban Initiatives (Melbourne); GMR Civil Design (Shepparton); and Water Plus Irrigation Design (Shepparton). The funding is coming from the current financial year’s capital works budget.
