History Melbourne Showgrounds

aerial photo of royal melbourne showgrounds before world war ii

the 30-acre (12 ha) site @ ascot vale given national agricultural society of victoria (predecessor of royal agricultural society of victoria) in 1882. first show held next year , on next few decades number of pavilions erected on site. during both world war , world war ii showgrounds requisitioned military purposes. main arena played host harness racing annual show; in fact, main harness racecourse in metropolitan melbourne 4 decades until 1980s, when major victorian harness meetings moved moonee valley racecourse. during 1970s first major attractions built, such 1,800 feet long chairlift, 112 chairs covered journey in 7 minutes. in 1977 new government pavilion completed, costing $1,800,000 , covering area of 2,839 square metres. iconic pie in sky built same year, , heritage listed in 1999.

as hosting harness racing, 610 metres (670 yards) melbourne showground track semi regular host of speedway. during 1980s , 1990s showground saw such motorcycle speedway riders world champions ivan mauger, hans nielsen, michael lee, shawn moran, simon wigg , tommy knudsen, australian s phil crump, rod hunter, mark fiora , todd wiltshire. during time showground hosted 2 annual speedway events, boxing day spectacular , , mr melbourne title held in january. winners of these events included simon wigg, tommy knudsen , todd wiltshire.

redevelopment

by 2000s royal melbourne showgrounds had become dilapidated, when compared other australian venues such sydney showgrounds @ homebush. result, state government announced redevelopment of royal melbourne showgrounds site, carried out joint venture partnership royal agricultural society of victoria , private sector investors, demolition commencing in june 2002, , work completed 2006 royal melbourne show.

in march 2004 list of 3 short-listed consortia announced, winning applicant revealed in december year: ppp solutions – consortium of financier babcock , brown, multiplex constructions, multiplex facilities management, spotless services , daryl jackson architects. contract ppp solutions signed on 22 june 2005, , required consortium design, build, finance , maintain showground facilities period of 25 years.

costing $146 million, government provided $101 million project, royal agricultural society $16 million, , remaining $29 million come lease revenue , management fees. two-thirds of 27 hectare site redeveloped venue royal melbourne show, while non-core land along epsom road , langs road given on other uses.

the works completed planned 2006 royal melbourne show, , included following new works:

an 8,000-square metre grand pavilion,
a new 10,000-square metre exhibition pavilion, can house livestock,
a new 4,300-seat outdoor arena, capable of holding 2 horse competition rings,
a grand boulevard linking grassy spaces , events areas, and
the new headquarters royal agricultural society of victoria.

the following heritage buildings restored:

centenary hall, art-deco hall built in 1934 , restored original condition,
the heritage-listed public grandstand, built in 1915 new seating,
pie in sky, heritage-listed , popular meeting point built in 1977.

before redevelopment main arena had 15,000 capacity, new basic rectangle arena opened 2006 royal melbourne show. around same time rest of old arena demolished.

in 2008 development of epsom road site announced, coles group building $40 million neighbourhood shopping centre, featuring coles supermarket, 1st choice liquor superstore, 30 retail spaces ranging in size 50 square metres 600 square metres, , not-for-profit child care centre able accommodate 120 children. heritage listed woodfull pavilion incorporated development, opened in august 2009.