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A new fence around the arena at Orange Showground will make the facility safer and more secure for users while providing an area that complements surrounding facilities at the showground.

The arena is the centrepiece of the annual Orange Show, as well hosting several community events throughout the year, and doubles as a leash-free pet exercise area when not in use.

The old timber-and-wire fence had become unstable as the wooden posts had rotted. The new, stronger 1.2 metre high double-top-rail steel fence, installed by Bluedog Fences, is designed to blend into the surrounding heritage landscape and is fitted with dog mesh to keep dogs contained.

The arena fence now boasts four spring-loaded, self-closing pedestrian gates, one on the eastern side, two on the western side and one on the southern side coming in from the caravan park. It also now has three six-metre-wide gates, which will improve access for event organisers.

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the improvements would make the Orange Showground a much better venue for a wide range of users noting “The showground is used by thousands of people each year, from the hundreds of people that turn out to the Orange Show to equestrian events, car shows and swap meets, not to mention the people who come to use the leash-free area.

“This new fence makes the arena much safer for all users and provides an area that really complements all the surrounding facilities at the showground.”

Funding for the project came from Phase 1 of the NSW Government’s Showground Stimulus Funding Program to fund maintenance and improvement works at showgrounds around the state, and is part of the government’s $2.3 billion COVID stimulus package.

Orange Showground received $174,000, which funded the arena fence replacement as well as the installation of a new security fence along the showground’s Leeds Parade boundary, installed by Tablelands Contracting.

Member for Orange Phil Donato said by funding shovel-ready projects, the program aimed to help stimulate local economies affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Donato explained “Showgrounds often have old infrastructure that would fall into disrepair without sufficient funds for maintenance and improvements.

“The objective of this program is to boost regional communities by keeping locals working, while enhancing showground facilities and ensuring public safety at these sites.”

Orange Showground has also received funding under Phase 2 of the program, which will partly fund the installation of a canteen, as well as toilets and showers at the Naylor Pavilion.

Image: Orange Show Society President Peter Naylor, Orange Mayor Reg Kidd and Member for Orange Phil Donato check out the new showground arena and leash-free area with Heidi the dog. Courtesy of Orange City Council

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