Mr Marshall said the grant would enable the Showground Trust to renovate the mess hall and give it a modern makeover that will see more user-friendly equipment and inclusions.

Gwydir Shire Mayor and long-time Showground Trust member John Coulton says the funding is much appreciated.

“It’s the only way we would have been able to do it up,” Cr Coulton said. “Everything there has been basically built by the community and volunteer labour.”

Cr Coulton said the project would renovate a kitchen built about 20 years ago but equipped in many instances with second hand gear, including stoves from the hospital.

“We’ll do the ceiling too and put in air-conditioning because it’s terribly hot in there without it, and we’ll get new stoves and fridges,” he said.

Mr Marshall said the project would include a long list of improvements with new framing, insulation, lining, flooring and painting to the dining room and the installation of an air conditioner, a new door, and new wiring.

The kitchen area will see new framing, insulating, lining, and painting, refurbishment of the timber floor, installation of new internal and external doors, an air conditioner, LED lights and power points, and windows with screens.

“There’s also plans for moving the plumbing as required, installing a servery bench, putting in a commercial six burner stove/oven with range hood, a two-door fridge, benches, cabinets, and lockable cupboards, and constructing a storage room,” Mr Marshall said.

Cr Coulton has been on the showground committee since about the age of 18 and says this building works project will achieve a huge list of improvements in one go and better cater to a high demand from a variety of users.

“It’s surprising how much it is used, there’s not that many weekends without it being rented out. It’s a great asset for the town,” Cr Coulton said.