Work on the 100-year-old structure is expected to be complete by September, well ahead of next year’s Maitland Show.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said the grandstand revamp was the first step in several improvements needed at Maitland Showground.

“I saw it a year ago at last year’s [Maitland] Show and when I saw it, I go to a few shows, I thought it was dreadful. I thought it was the worst grandstand I’d seen in my life,” he said.

“The grounds need a lot of work; things like the ­toilets and some of the pavilions. 

“The grandstand will be a good start.

“Shows are a really important part of the culture and character of places like Maitland.”

Mr MacDonald said the structure would remain in tact but the inside of the stand would be renovated.

Most of the stand has been off limits to the public for several years because of its state of ­disrepair.

The government promised $250,000 for the grandstand project before last year’s election, which triggered a pledge of $200,000 from an anonymous benefactor.

The benefactor had agreed to the donation on condition the remainder of the money needed for the work had been secured.

People attached to the government’s Work for the Dole scheme began to remove old planks and seats last August to make way for the new interior.

Work for the Dole labourers are also likely to be enlisted for some of the painting work.

The construction contract has been awarded to RTC Group.

The long-awaited work comes after repeated calls from Hunter River Agricultural and Horticultural Association and the Mercury for the heritage-listed stand to be restored to its former glory.