Ralli Park grandstand a standout at the Show

Published 25th September 2018

25 September 2018

Grandstand's 'out'standing Renovations

After more than a century presiding over Ralli Park, the grandstand has remained an important

part of the Show and sporting ground’s identity, despite its overwhelming decay and damage

in recent years that left it almost unusable, and in critical need of repair.

Wakefield CEO Jason Kuchel said many people in the community had been eager to see the

grandstand restored before weather damage and erosion from white ants, caused any more

destruction to the Edwardian structure.

“It’s important to maintain such iconic historical places and buildings, like the Ralli Park

grandstand for current and future residents and visitors to our region,” Mr Kuchel said.

Council’s Community and Development Services Manager Christopher Parish oversaw and

coordinated the project.

“We undertook major structural engineering to replace 11 worn out internal beams, and

repaired seating and flooring, as well as repainted the building and had some stonework

restoration done,” Mr Parish said.

“We also replaced the roof and installed a vapour blanket to protect the wooden beams from

moisture caused by condensation.”

Show patrons making the most of the Ralli Park Grandstand.

Council contracted local building companies including, SJM Carpentry & Building of Clare and

Durdin Building Services of Balaklava, to complete the project.

Although the grandstand was originally designed and built by Balaklava business owner Mr Marchant, who handed over the

keys to the Show Committee on September 23, 1910.

Football game at Ralli Park (with Grandstand in background) in 1913.

And Mr Marchant's hardwork was not overlooked, as a newspaper circulating at the time (The

Wooroora Producer) reported in September 1910:

'There is nothing on any country show ground in the state that is to be compared with it.’

In fact, his attention to detail extended to the welfare of grandstand users’ clothing:

‘With higher, spaced out seating, persons may [now] sit on clean seats without fear of clothes

being soiled by the feet of those behind them.’

Wakefield Regional Council