Work to replace the old cattle pavilion at Wingham Showgound with a multipurpose event arena began last week.
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Stage one of the project saw the historic sheds demolished marking the end of an era for the local agricultural community.
The sheds have served as a focal point at agricultural shows for more than 80 years housing both beef and dairy cattle.
However time and termites eventually took their toll and the old timber sheds were deemed unsafe.
"They were really in a bad state and far worse than we anticipated," secretary of the Crown Land Management Board Denis McKinnon said.
Though much of the timber was rotten it is hoped some of it can be salvaged and repurposed to take the hard look off of the proposed new steel structure.
It has been more than 18 months since an $836,000 grant under the State Government's Stronger Country Communities program was announced for the project and others at the showground.
The replacement of the cattle sheds saw delays following the 2019 bushfires, and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic, but both Denis and Crown Land Management Board president Robert Walsh say they owe much to the assistance of MidCoast Council for getting the project back on track.
MidCoast Council will manage stage two of the project with tenders currently being prepared for the earthworks and construction.
The nearby wool shed looks set to be replaced this year too.
The new undercover arena will be bigger than the old cattle pavilion and will also be suitable for horse events.
"This is going to be a great asset to the community," said Mr Walsh.
It is hoped the projects will be completed by February in time for the 2021 Wingham Show.