The Surrey Park Grandstand is in line to be given a facelift.

Originally built in 1964, the Invercargill City Council will undertake earthquake strengthening work at the grandstand. The project will be carried out by Amalgamated Builders Ltd.

Council Manager for Parks and Recreation Caroline Rain said the upgrade would ensure the grandstand met user safety requirements, and was retained as a regional asset for the community.

The grandstand was used by various sporting organisations, including Athletics Southland and the Waihōpai AFC Football Club, she said.

“The grandstand at Surrey Park is an important asset, not just for our city’s athletics and football communities, but for the people of Invercargill and Southland,” she said.

“Southland has a rich sporting history, which has been rightly celebrated by our province numerous times in the past. The upgrade of the Surrey Park grandstand will ensure this asset continues to be enjoyed by future generations – and, no doubt, will be the place where members of our community can cheer on Southland’s sporting talents of tomorrow.”

Site establishment was scheduled to begin in mid-November, with work to strengthen the grandstand to building code requirements set to commence soon after. Work would also include a new roof, and other improvements, Rain said.

The original aspirations for the project were to demolish the existing facility and replace it with a new build, with $1.5 million earmarked for this project in Council’s 2021 Long-term Plan. However, to ensure it remained within budget, the project was adapted to bring the existing grandstand up to 34 percent of earthquake standards.

The redevelopment was expected to be completed by May 2025.   The grandstand would be closed during construction, she said.

“It’s a really positive outcome, and we are looking forward to seeing the Surrey Park Grandstand continued to be enjoyed in the future.”