WANGARATTA Show organisers have had concerns allayed about potential disruptions for the two-day show in October due to ongoing works at the showgrounds.
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The Wangaratta Show Society has agreed to temporary fencing measures around major building works as part of the $3 million redevelopment at the ground which is due for completion in early December.
Show patrons will still be able to access the oval and animal nursery during the show on the weekend of October 7-8 with the service road inside the ground also reopened for the event.
Browns Builders is constructing the multi-purpose building which is the centrepiece of the redevelopment which will eventually see AFL practice matches played at Norm Minns Oval.
Company director and showgrounds committee of management president Dennis Backas said there would be no disruption to the show after some concerns were raised when the Ovens and King Football League decided recently to switch its grand final to W.J. Findlay Oval next door.
Mr Backas said the same arrangements would have been available to the Ovens and King league.
“After the mayhem of the Ovens and King grand final, the show society contacted the council and asked ‘where would it leave us?’,” Mr Backas said.
“Without going back over old ground, we would have done exactly the same thing for the Ovens and King league.
“But they just made a decision and didn’t ask anyone.”
The Ovens and King grand final will be played on September 17, but Norm Minns Oval will be used for an Ovens and Murray league finals match with the qualifying final the most likely option.
The O and M is proposing to play a finals match under lights at the ground with the fourth light tower slotted into place this week.
The lights are scheduled to be in operation by the middle of August with the qualifying final scheduled for August 27.
Mr Backas said a concrete walkway and two tiers of the viewing area in front of the new multi-purpose room would be open for the Wangaratta Magpies final home and away game on August 20.
