The fight to save the Maitland Showground grandstand will continue, despite a significant state government grant application being knocked back.
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Hunter River Agricultural and Horticultural Association launched a campaign to restore the ailing structure last year.
An anonymous Maitland benefactor pledged to donate about $200,000 if the association could raise the remaining money needed to complete work.
The association planned to use a combination of government grants and community donations to raise money for the project.
But operations officer Amanda Winney said an application for a government grant worth about $250,000 was unsuccessful late last year.
This meant the committee would have to wait until a new round of grant funding became available early this year.
Ms Winney said there had also been a slow response to a call for community donations as part of the sponsor a plank program, which began last June.
Community members can sponsor a piece of the grandstand in exchange for donations ranging from $100 to $5000 under the initiative.
The Mercury understands that the benefactor’s offer is still on the table if association can cover the remaining restoration cost.
“We are still seeking people to purchase planks,” Ms Winney said.
“There is a lot of misconception that the showground is council-owned or government-owned, but it is privately owned.
“If every resident in Maitland donated $5, then that would be a huge contribution.”
She said the committee would continue to look for ways to fund the project.
One idea includes holding a black-tie ball fund-raiser under the grandstand.
Ms Winney said the association was also investigating whether it would be feasible to set up a temporary cinema under the stand for occasional movie nights.
“The main problem is that [the grandstand] is heritage-listed so it is very expensive to do things because they have to be done a certain way,” she said.
“We aren’t stopping.
“We have every intention of getting it back to the way it was.”
There is still time to own a piece of the historic Maitland Showground grandstand and help fund its repair.
People can sponsor a new grandstand plank for $100, a joist for $250, a beam for $1000, a post for $2500 or a foundation for $5000.
All sponsors will have their names listed on the wall of benefactors when the renovations are complete.
Contact 4933 5052, email admin@maitlandshowground.com.au or visit www.maitlandshowground.com.au for more information.