Just letting you know that TDC have lodged the building consent application for the works they want to do on the grandstand to get it usable. They have already started on the the things they can do that don't need a consent, such as tidying up the downstairs. It is nice to see it looking in better shape already.

TDC plan to demolish the old squash court and remove the front extension and rear lean-to of the grandstand. To fit easily into current Importance Level categories for calculating seismic strength, the occupancy of the upstairs will allow for 300 people maximum and a third aisle has been put in at the carpark end to improve access and reduce the seating to comply with this. The top two rows have also been removed - partly to help reduce occupancy, and also to fit in with the new 1.5m shear walls at right angles to the back wall. At the regulation 450mm per seat there are now 32 seats per row meaning there will be 256 seats - a whole lot more than none at all. While the strengthening work is going on temporary poles will be put in upstairs.

The aim is to have the grandstand safe and usable in time for the 125th Golden Bay A&P Show on 15 January 2022.

Thanks as always for your ongoing support. We will be continuing the updates as the works progress.

Three Little Old Ladies

Photo: Work going on inside the grandstand.