Upgrades to the Gundagai Showground have been unveiled, coinciding with the return of the Gundagai Show.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke opened improvements supported through a $282,665 grant from the NSW Government’s Showground Stimulus, which include upgrades to the stable complex, the installation of power hubs and water in camping areas, new skillions on the canteen and arborist work.
The Showground previously secured $215,000 from the Stronger Country Communities Fund for a new amenities block, $183,847 from the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund to move power underground and upgrade power to the toilet block and canteen, $199,151 from the Stronger Country Communities Fund to build a new Pony Club arena, $25,000 from the Stronger Communities Fund to update the camp draft area and $15,976 from the Community Building Partnership program for a youth shed.
Ms Cooke said the improvements were impressive.
“This is becoming one of the most-used showgrounds in the Cootamundra electorate and the land managers have done excellent work with these upgrades and creating a state-of-the-art facility,” Ms Cooke said.
“So much of this work has been done by local contractors, which means the financial boost is staying right here in Gundagai.”
“These improvements are going to be enjoyed by locals and visitors for generations to come.”
Gundagai Racecourse & Showground Land manager Darrell Edwards said the upgrades were already popular with visitors.
“We would never have been able to do these upgrades without this funding, we’ve been able to make these grounds some of the best in NSW,” Mr Edwards said.
“We used local contractors for the majority of the work, about 99% of what’s happened here has been done by local contractors.”
“There’s been nothing but positive feedback from the people who have been camping here, visiting the show and enjoying the new facilities.”
