Showgrounds set for upgrades

THE first stage of the Bendigo Showgrounds master plan upgrade is set to be implemented following the announcement of State Government cash for the project.

State member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards shared the news of the $680,000 funding to representatives of the Bendigo Agricultural Show Society on Tuesday and said works at the popular 60-year-old site were needed.

“What [the funding] means is the Showgrounds will have the upgrade that it needs to encourage more visitation,” she said.

“This will mean that the new toilet facilities can be built as well as a parenting room, some outdoor eating areas, general upgrades to the amenities and also some air-conditioning for the exhibition building as well.”

The money comes from the State Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund, and BASS executive officer Ian Furze said works will be carried out in stages.

“Stage one is planned to be implemented by the middle of 2022 so we’re looking at around about a 12 to 14-month timeline to get all of this work done and then we’ll be able to move onto the next stage after that,” he said.

“The next stage will be the upgrades to the exhibition centres where we’re also looking at upgrading the arena precinct and implementing a couple of new buildings to make multipurpose facilities for some of the other events that we currently can’t house.”

The Show Society is planning to submit future grant applications to fund these further works during second round applications, which will open on 16 June.