Let the grandstand stand where it is, at least for now. Negotiations led by the Golden Bay Grandstand Restoration Society Inc have established that Tasman District Council (TDC) and Golden Bay Shared Recreational Facility (GBSRF) are happy to have the grandstand in the same parking area where it currently stands. This is a great step forward towards a solution that works best for the most users of the showground facilities. The Golden Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Association (A&P) desperately need a grandstand. For the last two shows, people have left early as there has been nowhere to sit and watch, out of the weather. Others have not felt that they could attend at all. The A&P are but one of the many facility user groups that use the grandstand. Critically, the aftermath of ex-cyclone Gita is having a huge impact on prioritising expenditure of ratepayer money. Moving the grandstand will shuffle a few carparks a bit closer to the new building, however this will mean fewer carparks near the existing St John's rooms which are now used by at least five user groups of the new facility. There is actually no overall parking advantage to moving it. The new facility is now fully open so clearly the grandstand does not prevent it functioning as planned. It seems so very sensible to trial the grandstand where it is for at least a full year. By all means remove the redundant old squash court (this process has begun - see photo - although currently stalled by ex-cyclone Gita) and rear lean-tos. TDC planned to do this anyway. We can reinstate the stairs and give it a coat of paint - at no cost to TDC or GBSRF. The two buildings have the potential to be perfectly workable where they are, and if it does turn out that they cannot satisfactorily co-exist, THEN consider shifting it. This is a perfect opportunity to run a feasibility study at no cost to TDC. If you like this suggestion and would like to help then please get in touch with local councillors Paul Sangster (paul.sangster@tasman.govt.nz) or Sue Brown (sue.brown@tasman.govt.nz) and the Golden Bay Community Board (gbcb@tasman.govt.nz). As always, we thank you for your continued support.