Showgrounds aglow with new light towers

The Narrabri Showgrounds have received a bright boost with eight new light towers installed around the track.

Six of the towers were funded through the NSW government’s Showground Stimulus Fund while an additional two towers were replaced by insurance, forming a $550,000 project for the Narrabri Showground Land Management board.

The project is also part of more than $2 million in improvements at the showgrounds, including the newly completed boundary fence.

The 28-metre high light towers each have an output of 250 lux, a vast improvement on the previous lighting.

Narrabri Showground Land Management board chair Bill Wood said the upgrades would have a range of benefits for existing ground users as well as potentially attracting new events to the facility.

“This gives us capacity to attract new events and expand,” he said.

“It opens up the grounds for different opportunities and an ability to host more night events.”

The board also hopes the new lighting will ensure larger regional events are able to be held locally, rather than going to bigger regional centres.

“At times when events have to go to Tamworth, this now provides an option to have an event here in Narrabri,” Mr Wood said.

Mr Wood was joined by the board, including outgoing members Judy Michell and Bill Pownall, to demonstrate the new lighting to The Courier. Steve Faulkner is also not continuing on the new board. The board will welcome new member Steve Tomlinson, with two positions remaining vacant.

The Narrabri Showgrounds have undergone a massive period of renewal in recent years, with major upgrade works across the facility.

Two new disabled toilets, one located by the main pavilion and the other located by the harness racing club, will mark the final of the board’s major projects at the grounds.